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:^  Library  of  the  Gmthectn  IMerary 

ij]  Society.  ^  "  «  ||| 

^1^  «  Genestiio  f  bos.''  ^/ 


/^  // 


4 


_,,LLECTION 


\  OF 


LETTERS, 

SACRED  SUBJECTS. 


►>**4* 


Co  LOS.  iii.  17. 

^prdorDeed^  do  all  in  the 
Lordjejits, 


D    U    B    LIN:  ^ 

Primted  by'b.  dugdale,  no.  150^ 

capel-street. 

rCBMOSMDocMaMaaMaaNooooeaQ 
MDCCLXXXIV. 


I 


O^h 


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IT'   { 


'■    IK.  .4 


!•  >•*»■, 


L-//a^yau/-i  CS'm/x 


r 


AOVEI^TlSEltiENT. 

HIS  Colledlion was pub- 
liflied  feveral  Years  ago  in 
Sh E  F  F I E L'D,  and  unlverfaMy  well 
received,  but  as  it  is  little  kuo  .vn 
\fki  Ir E LAN  D ,  the  Editor  hopes 
it  will  prove  acceptable  to  all 
Lovers  of  pure  and  undejiled  Re-^ 
Ufion.  This  Colledion  is  en^ 
rrched  with  feveral  felecled  froai 
the  Arminian  Magazine,  and 
other  publications. 


THE 

PREFACE. 

T    O      T    H    E 

FORMER     EDITION. 

I.   TT  will  be  eafily  difecrned  by  the  leader 
JL  of  this  collection^   that  the  various  Au- 
thors, however  obfcure  in  their  life  and  repu* 
tation,    have  acquired  a  thorough  acquaint- 
ance with  the  way$  of  God,  and  arc  deeply 
experienced  in  his  work.     The  letters  them- 
i&lvcB  will  fufficicntJy  evince  the  truth  of  this. 
For  they  are  evidently  the  producftior.s,    not 
of  fuch  as  are  n)ere  Novices  in  tjue,  vital  re- 
ligion, but  of  luch  raiher  as  have  penetrated 
into  the  *'  Intel iora  Regni,"  the  hidden  myf- 
teries  of  the  kingdom  of  grace.     By  this  it 
will  appear  plain,    that  they  will   be  received 
and  undei flood  by  thofe  only,  who  are  endu- 
ed ^ith  forociwhaL.of  the  jikiC  knowledge  and 
^^experience;    or  are  really  definjus  fo  to  be. 
And  to  th^m,  JLttle  doubt  can  be  made,  but 
they  vill  be  more  acceptable,    than  perhaps 
^    any  thir;g  of  this  kuid,  which  has  been  before 
prefentcd  to  the  world.      The  reafon  for  this 
opinion  is  obvious:    becaufe,  I  do  not  know,, 
^   that  there   is   any  volume  of  lettdrs  belides, 
/  on  the  fame  fubjed,  wrote  by  forr/any  difFer- 
'    ejit  hands,    coming  from  perfcns  fo  different 
{^  in  their  genius,  dilpofkion,  and  uadei  (land- 
ing •. 


(      V      ) 

ing ;  and  confequently  difplaying  tlie  glorioui 
works  of  God  in  fo  different,  yet  clear,  and 
linking  a  light.  What  can  w6  imagine  there- 
fore, more  entertaining,  more  profitable,  or 
more  edifying  ? 

2  It  has  been  the  general  opinion  of  men  wife 
and  learned,  that  a  colle<i:\ion  of  polite  letters, 
wrote  by  perfons  of  tafte  and  abilities,  are  a 
valuable  treafure :  becaufe  in  them  we  may 
difcovcr,  commonly  at  lead,  more  of  the  tem- 
per and  the  whole  turn  of  mind  of  the  wrltej-, 
than  in  any  other  compofitions  whatever.  How 
extremely  valuable  then,  in  the  efteem  of  fuch 
as  have  received  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift,  and  the  wifdom  that  comes  dawn  from 
above,  will  be,  we  may  reafonaoly  fappofe, 
a  colledkion  of  fpiritual  letters,  clearly  fetting 
forth,  and  thereby  forcibly  tecommending 
the  power  of  godlinefs?  Free  juftification 
through  faith  in  a  Redeemer's  bloud,  arid  that 
work  of  God  which  is  afterwards  carried  on  in 
the  beheving  foui,  againft  many  and  various 
temptations,  under  the  conduct,  and  by  the 
operation  of  the  fpirit^  are  the  interefting  fub^ 
jeds  of  thefe  epillles.  And  the  latter  often, 
fo  exprefled  by  fome  of  thefe  writers,  in  the 
account  they  give  of  their  experience,  as  may 
poflible  be  found  a  moil  lively  comment  upon 
fome  remarkable  deep  and  weighty  j^illages 
of  fcripture.  Particular'y  fuch  as  i^iefe  :  Thi 
God  of  hope  fill  you  ^witkalhpeace  and  joy  in  be- 
lieving^ that  ye  -may  abound  in  hope,  ifirou^h  tht 


<     Vi     ) 
pOTiJoerSpf  ihe  Holy,  GhJlr-^That  the  God  jof  piir 
Lird  Jefus  Chrifi^  thcF4lh£l\  9}  glofj^  may  give 
utuo  you  tligjpint  of  wij'flomi  end  nvehtian.  in  thd 
knowledge  oj  him  :    T^iey^s  tf.you/  undaxftfifid^ 
tng  being  enlightcJied^    that  ymt  may  know  lohaii 
is  the  hope  oj  hu  c ailing ^    and  what  the  riches  of 
the  glory  oJ  hi^  inh^rif^tice  in  the  faints^  and  ivhat 
is  t^e  exceeding  g^reatn^/s:  of  his  power. to  m-ward 
'whfi  believey'- according  to,  the  working  of  i  his 
mighty  poiv^rr-ffor  thiSiC^t/4< I  bow  my  knees  to. 
the  Father  of  our.  Lord  Jefus  Chrifti,    that  he 
would  grant  you^- according  to  the  nches\of  his 
glory ,  to  be  Jirm^  thened  with  mighty  by  his  fpirit 
in  the  inner  man  \    that  Chriji  may  duuell  in  your 
hearts  by  fait  h-^  thap.yet  being  rooted  andgrounded^ 
in  loT^^    may  be  able  to- comprehend^    with  cdl: 
faints  y  whatislhe  bre^adth^  and  lengtlu,and  deptJii 
and  height. ;  and  to  *  know' the  love  of  Chnfi  which 
paffeth  knowledge^  that  ye  might  be  filled  with  all' 
the  fiilmfs  of  Gcd,—-And  this  I  fray^  that  your 
love  may  abound  jet  more  and  more  in  knowledge^ 
and  m  alljudgfnent ;  that  ye  may  approve  things 
that  are  e^feUent ;  jbat ye  may. be  fincere^    and 
'wHMn.t  offencei  t^llthe  day  of  Qhfjfi  \  being  filk^> 
edwith  ail  th  fruits  $f  righteQufnt^fs^  which  are 
by  Jefus  ChriJi^  unto  the  glory  and  pratfe  of  God, 
And  if  we  may  Jbe  allowed  , to  coaiider.  them 
in  this  light,  wiiich  after  a  perufal,    I  believe, 
will  not  be  thou  gin  unx^aAona.ble^  they  niuil 
furely  be  unfpcaKably-prcdous.to  thofe  who 
ai<;,apv?;s  cf  ^he.wojjtof  God. 
^-       \         ..  :  5.B1U 


.'^»  "feut leaif t  ii^v  one  -(hp'd  ,  ., 
think;  by  what  tes  bebn  faia,  thai  rhey  are 
exalted  beyond -the  defert  of  m6re  hum^n' 
oompolitions,^^  whidv  -wiU  -always  be  Haf^e'  to 
imperfeaiom,-  it  may  be  needful  to  ob reive, 
that  i^wouid  not  attempt  to  acquit  theni  of 
m^^  inekgancics  arid  ifia<:ciiracies  ofexpref- 
hon,    orcv^n  of  fome'^iftak'es  an''^  errors. 
The  candid  reader,  therefore,  is  defired,  if  he 
finds  any  thing  not  agreeable  to  his  judgment, 
toremembertheyare  Wrote  by  men':  and  by 
men  who  make  no'pretenUons  to  infallible  in-- 
fpiration.,    But  at- thfe  feme  time  he  is  like  wife 
defired!  impartially  to  wdigh  the  fubllance, 
and,  for  the  fake  of  his  own  profit,  to  give  the 
jaft  elleem  to  what  is  truly  valuable.     This 
he  may  furely  be  pcrfuaded  to  do,  notwith- 
llanding  fome  parts  in  ay'  hot'exacliy  concur 
with  his  fentiment-s.      For  moderation  and 
chriftian  love  towards  thofe,    who  differ  from'^ 
us  in  their  opinions,  ought  carefully  to  be  cul- 
tivated in  all  ferious  minds ;  the  contrary  hav- 
ing been  the  occafioii  of  many  very  apparent 
evils, 

4.  For  my  own  part,  I  take  mofl  peculiar 
delight  in  thofe  writings,  which  exalt  to  the 
utmoil  Chrift  my  great  Redeemer,  his  infi- 
nitely meritorious  life,  paflion,  and  death,  and 
the  exceeding  great  efficacy  of  the  fdHdifying 
influence  of  his  fpirit.  Wherefore  thofe  books, 
or  fermons,  or  converfations,  which,  however 
ftrongly  they  may  enforce  the  inward  work 

of 


I  (   viii   ) 

orGod  in  the  foul,  yet  fpeak  but  fparingly  or 
flightly  of  Chrift*s adorable  r'rch  merits,  to  me 
feem  to  dimmilh  their  luftre,  lofe  their 
llrength,  and  become  far  lefs  ufeful.  Nor 
can  it  be  efteemed,  on  the  other  hand,  fuita- 
ble  to  the  chriftian  plan,  under  a  pretence  of 
extolling  the  fufxeriijgs  and  atonement  of  a 
crucified  Saviour,  to  depreciate,  by  omitting 
to  mculcate,  the  fandifying  work  of  his  fpi- 
rit.  We  can  never  fufficiently  admire,  or  ex- 
patiate upon  the  former ;  but  then  we  ou^t 
iikewife  as  largely  and  fully  to  treat  of  the 
latter.  May  it  pleafe  God,  there  fore,  to  give 
unto  all  thoie,  whom  he  has  vifi:ed  with  bis 
grace,  '\  A  found  judgment  in  all  tnmgs  {per- 
taining to  his  kingdom"!  May  he  alfo  profpcr 
with  his  blelling,  iHs  little  work,  that  it  may 
be  to  the  glory  of  his  name,  and  the  happy  cfta^ 
blifhment  of  mar-y  chriitians  in  knowledge, 
grace,  and  expe4ience  t 


c^- 


COLLECTION 


O  F 


LETTERS. 

LETTER        I.        '^Z. 
[From  Mr.  Charles  Perronet.^ 
On  Communion  with  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

X  HE  anfwer  I  gave  you  before  was  too  con 
cife  for  the  importance  of  the  fubjeft.  It  is  wor- 
thy of  all  our  thoughts^  demands  all  our  time,  and 
fhould  be  the  whole  pjrfuit  of  life.  To  kno'uj  the 
only  trus  God,  and  Jefus  Chrijl,  is  eternal  life. 
He  that  redeemed  us,  hath  purchafed  the  moft 
perfect  grace  for  all  that  believe  :  and  with  every 
other  gift  beflows  ht7nfelf. 

Gifts,  Graces,  Manifeftations,  are  fmall  things 
without  God  dweUing  in  us,  and  making  all  we 
receive  to  center  in  himfelf.  The  image  of  God 
is  too  divine  for  lefs  than  God  to  fatisfy  its  wants, 
or  employ  its  large  capacities.  Our  fall  is  too 
great  to  be  repaired  by  any  thing  fhort  of  indwplj-ng 
B  Deity. 


I  -  1 

Deity.  Nothing  can  reflore  the  foul,  but  Tefuj 
df  fcendina:  as  Lord  of  the  foul,  and  actuating  the 
graces  he  beftows. 

Our  Creation  was  the  zS:  of  three  Divine  Per- 
fons  in  ojie  undivided  Jehovah.  So  is  cur  Re- 
demption :  each  undertakes  a  particular  part  ; 
each  beftovv's  his  gifts,  and  vouchfafes  diftin£l 
mariifeftations  of  the  Godhead.  Man  had  at  firll 
free  admiflion  to  God  ;  yet  not  without  a  Media- 
tor of  Accefs.  All  we  receive  now,  is  through  a 
Mediator  of  Atonement.  Sin  feparated  from 
God  :  only  by  a  Mediator  could  favour  be  reftored. 
There  is  no  Mediator  without  equality  :  Reftora- 
tion  implies  that  equality  ;  and  equality  proves  the 
poffibility  of  reftoration.  We  are  fent  to  the 
Lord  Jefus :  the  Father  gives  us  to  the  Son.  Thus 
we  drav>-  nigh  to  God  through  Jefus  Chrift.  The 
Son  reveals  the  Father  :  thus  we  know  God,  en- 
joy his  favour,  have  free  accefs,  and  become  One 
in  the  beginnings  The  whole  is  by  the  Father 
giving  the  Son  to  us,  and  bringing  us  to  the  Son. 
Jefus  tranfacls  all  with  God.  And  whatever  he 
did  on  earth,  or  doth  in  heaven,  is  brought  into 
the  foul ;  we  die,  rife,  live  with  him,  and  his 
Spirit  prays  in  us. 

The  fame  will  it  be  in  Glory.  But  we  are  firfl: 
with  Chrift  in  Paradife.  Then  the  Son  prefents  us 
to  the  throne  of  his  Father,  where  we  (hall  behold 
his  face  for  ever. 

Our  fellowfhip  is  with  the  Father  and  his  Son 
Jefus  Chrift.  We  equally  adore  the  Eternal 
Spirit  ;  apply  to  him,  with  the  Father  and  Son, 
for  Grace,  and  receive  peculiar  manifeftations 
from  him.  He  bleflfes,  fan6t:fiss,  and  reveals 
bimfelf,  'in  them  that  come  unto  God  through 
Jefus  ChPift. 

Each 


^ 


[    3    1 

Each  Divine  Perfon  vouchfafes  to  bear  a 
peculiar  relation  to  n?,  aflumcs  a  peculiar 
chara6ter,  and  afts  a  diftinft  part  in  our  redemp- 
tion. God  is  undivided  in  his  Effence,  but  diflin6t 
in  Perfonality  :  and  what  in  one  part  of  Scripture 
is  aTcrlbed  to  the  undivided  Godhead,  is  in  other 
parts  afcriljed  feparately,  to  each  perfon.  The 
Son  fends  forth  Grace,  which  implies  the  whole  of 
our  Redemption, , Pardon,  and  Holinefs  ;  all  pur- 
chafed  favour.  The  Father  fheds  abroad  his  Love, 
oppofite  to  the  wrath  which  is  due  to  difobedience. 
The  Spirit  vouchfafes  Communion,  which  through 
his  agency  we  receive  with  the  Father  and  the  Son. 
And  this  Communion  is  oppofed  to  Separation 
from  God. 

So  in  future  Glory>  God  is  eternally  One  ;  blit 
each  Perfon  will  communicate  a  peculiar  part  of 
our  joy.  Yet,  whether  in  this  or  the  world  to 
Gome,  whatever  is  the  a(£t  of  one,  is  the  a6l  of  the 
whole  Trinity.  The  Son  can  do  nothing  of  himfelf 
beeaufe  of  his  perfect  unity  with  the  Father  :  and 
the  Father  and  Spirit  do  whatever  the  Sen  doth, 
beeaufe  of  an  undivided  effence. 

Under  the  Old  Covenant,  God  appeared  diftant 
and  more  fevere  :  in  the  New,  he  draws  nigh, 
and  is  more  benign.  In  the  Old,  Gcd  is  mo(t 
fpoken  of:  in  the  New,  Chrift.  In  the  formet 
difpenfation,  Chrifl  is  peculiarly  confidefed  as  a 
Governor  :  in  the  latter,  as  an  Advocate  and 
Atonement.  This  the  apoftle  has  an  eye  to,  when 
he  ranges  the  General  AJfembly.  Firft,  and  re- 
motefl  from  God,  are  the  myriads  of  Angels  ;  then 
the  Church  of  the  firfUhorn,  the  Old  TeUament 
faints,  who  are  nearer.  Thefe  he  p!a<m  before 
God  as  a  fudge  ;  la  ft,  the  fpirits  of  juftmen  madi 
perfe^,  by  the  bringing  in  of  a  better'  hope,  the 
Gofpel-difpenfaticTi.  Thefe  he  gives  to  Jefus, 
B  2      .  as 


\ 


[    4    3 

as  a  Saviour,  Mediator,  and  Sacrifice.  Thus  the 
order  of  the  united  hoft  is  preferved,  and  the 
Climax  raifed  as  high  as  it  can  go,  God  dying  to 
redeem  ! 

It  is  undeniable,  there  is  One  fpoken  of  in  the 
Old  and  New  Teftament,  called  Jehovah  op 
Sabbaoth  ;  and  all  that  the  moft  High  God  is 
or  doth  is  afcribed  to  him.  It  is  certain,  he  is 
defcribed  as  a6ting  fubordinately,  and  at  the  wilt 
of  another.  And  it  is  as  certain,  there  can  te  but 
One  Jehovah,  and  that  Jehovah  can  be  no 
lefs  than  himfelf.  Infinity  admits  of  no  Degrc&s 
or  Multiplicity.  It  is  One  :  it  is  Equality  :  the 
leaft  inferiority  makes  the  diftance  Intinite.  But 
he  that  afcended,  firjl  defcended.  He  de/cended  /';?/■# 
the  lower  parts  of  the  earth  (a  term  for  human  con- 
ception) he  came  down  from  heaven  :  yet,  as  God, 
he  was  in  heaven  while  on  -earth.  He  came  not  to  d* 
his  own  will.  But  the  Divine  Nature  couW  do  ne 
other  will :  nor  he  fent :,  nor  fcrve  ;  nor  be  ether 
than  equal,  undivided  Jehovah.  Therefore,  the 
nature  fpoken  of  is  the  created  exiftence  of  him 
who  is  Jehovah,  the  beginning  of  the  creation  of 
God  ;  by  whom  God  created  all  things  ;  who  ap- 
peared  to  the  fathers  ;  led  Ifrael  through  the  wilder' 
ncfs  ;  was  manifefled  in  the  fie fh,  died,  afcended, 
and  will  judge  the  world. 

When  I  firft  fought  the  Lord,  X  found  no  in- 
tercourfe  open  with  him,  though  his  Spirit  daily 
changed  my  heart,  and  drew  me  from  all  outward 
things,  to  feek  my  all  in  Uncreated  Good.  The 
nrft  fix  months  I  was  refreihed  by  various  influ- 
ences of  grace,  which  drew  me  after  heavenly 
things,  but  difcovered  nothing  of  him  from  whom 
they  came.  I  was  all  defire,  all  fervour  ;  and,  on 
the  ftretch  for  divine  communications,  as  one  dead 
to  ali  below.     Outward   things   could   not   allure 

me. 


[   s   ] 

me,  becaufe  I  had  renounced  them,  and  devoted 
myfelf  to  the  Love  of  Chrift  But  it  was  not 
till  after  much  joy  and  forrow,  that  I  knew  the 
mighty  All,  for  whofe  fake  all  was  and  is,  the 
firft,  eternal  fpring  of  all  things,  in  whom  they 
begin  and  end. 

After  this,  I  was  three  months  in  deep  diflrefs, 
through  the  lofs  of  thofe  meltings  of  heart,  of 
that  light  and  joy,  and  pov/er  to  approach  God  in 
prayer.  Then  Chrifl  rellored  the  graces  I  had 
poiTefTed  with  double  increafe,  and  the  revelation 
of  himjelf.  The  grace  I  received  came  now  with 
Jefus  Chrift  himfelf  in  fo  clear  a  manifeilation, 
that  from  what  I  daily  experienced,  I  could  have 
preached  him  to  all  the  world.  If  I  had  never 
heard  the  name  of  Chrift,  I  could  have  declared 
him  to  be  God  and  Man,  and  the  Mediator  be- 
tween both. 

Now  I  fought  Grace  ;  but  Jefus  above  Grace, 
and  all  that  could  be  imparted.  Whatever  help  or 
ftrength  I  obtained,  it  feemed  a  fmall  thing  if  he 
came  not  with  what  he  beftowed.  The  Son  of 
God  was  now  my  refuge  from  every  ftoi"m  ;  my 
friend,  my  hiding-place  on  all  occafions.  I  talked 
with  hirn  ;  he  feemed  to  look  upon  me  with 
precious  fmiles ;  became  my  delightful  abode  ; 
gave  me  promifes,  and  made  all  my  exiftence  glor)' 
in  himfelf,  fixing  all  my  defires  upon  his  Love, 
and  the  glorious  difplay  of  his  own  perfon.  I 
could  relilli  only  Jefus :  to  have  been  a  moment 
with  him,  I  would  have  given  up  all  befides.  I  yN2,^ 
fo  engaged  with  Chrift,  that  the  thought  how  he 
had  been  defpifed  whih  on  earth,  drov%*ned  my 
eyes  in  tears:  and  the  thought,  that  now  he 
poflefled  all  fulnefs,  fo  fatisfied  my  largeil"  defires, 
that  I  had  no  choice,  whether  to  exift  or  not : 
whatever  was  myfelf ,  was  no  more.  It  feefiied  to 
B  3  make 


[     6    ] 

make  no  part  of  my  Happinefs.     All  centered  in 
Jefus,  and  him  alone. 

Before  I  experienced  this,  I  had  never  known 
that  Prayer  was  offered  up  to  CAriJf,  but  only  in 
his  name.  But  now  all  my  cry  was  to  him,  as  he 
was  the  only  perfon  of  the  Godhead  I  beheld.  At 
firfl  he  difcovered  himfelf  as  the  Holy  Lord,  and 
Ruler  over  Jiis  Redeemed  :  then  as  a  Father  of  his 
adopted  Children,  a  fnend,  an  intimate  and  con- 
defcending  Companion  :  lall:  of  all,  as  the  Spoufe 
of  his  Church,  of  all  Believers  ;  which  character 
exceeded  every  other.  Every  manifeftation  more 
abundantly  knit  my  heart  to  himfelf,  his  word, 
and  commandments.  I  could  truly  fay,  Hqu)  dear 
are  thy  counfels  to  me,  O  God !  AlUiiy  Jludy  is  in  thy 
commandments. 

The  Scripture  difplays  the  relation  God  (lands 
in  to  his  people,  in  a  multitude  of  facred  characters. 
Some  of  thefe  relate  to  this  world  ;  fome  to  the 
other  :  but  all  prove  div^.rfity  of  experience  ;  and 
that  one  Jiar  differeth  from  another,  both  in  grace 
and  glory. 

Juft  after  my  uniting  with  the  Methodifts,  the 
Father  was  revealed  to  me  ;  and  foon  after,  the 
whole  Trinity  :  I  beheld  the  diftinft  Perfons  of 
the  Godhead  ;  and  worfhipped  one  undivided  Je- 
hovah, and  each  perfon  feparately.  After  this,  I 
often  had  equal  intercourfewith  Chrift  and  with  the 
Father  :  afterward,  with  the  Spirit  alfo.  But  after 
four  years,  my  ufual  Communion  was  with  Chrift 
only  :  though  at  times,  with  the  Father  likewife  ; 
and  not  wholly  without  the  Spirit.  Of  late  I  have 
found  the  fame  accefs  to  the  Triune  God.  When  I 
approach  Jefus,  the  Father  and  Spirit  commune 
with  me  ;  but  not  in  the  degree  as  before.  What- 
ever I  receive  now,  centers  in  taking  leave  of 
Earth,  and  hading  to  another  place.     I  am'  as  one 

that 


[    7     ] 

that  is  no  more.  I  ftand  and  look  back  on  what 
God  has  done  ;  his  calls,  helps,  mercies,  de- 
hverances  ;  and  adore  and  devote  myfclt  with 
new  ardour. 

In  rpeaking  of  thefe  things,  it  is  hard  to  find  ut- 
terance. And  human  weaknefs,  intermixing  much 
of  Imagination,  caufes  the  Truth  to  be  reje61:ed. 
If  it  be  afked,  *'  In  what  manner  I  beheld  the  tri- 
une God  ?"  I  anfwer.  It  is  above  all  defcription  : 
it  differs  fo  much  from  what  is  human.  Who  can 
defcribe  Light,  fo  as  to  make  himunderftand  that 
has  never  feen  it  ?  And  he  that  hath  thus  feen 
God,  can  no  more  defcribe  what  he  has  feerif 
than  he  that  hath  not.  In  two  of  thefe  Divin^e 
Interviews,  the  Father  fpake,  while  I  was  in  agony 
of  prayer  for  perfe6t  Conformity  to  himfelf  ;  twice 
more,  when  I  was  in  the  depth  of  forrow  ;  and 
each  time,  in  fcripture  words. 

The  Manifeftations  to  the  Patriarchs  were 
Outward,  and  therefore  admitted  of  being  de- 
fcribed.  But  what  I  relate  was  not  Outward  :  it 
was  not  any  External  Vifion  :  it  was  not  what  we 
commonly  call  Faith  :  it  was  not  an  Imprelfion 
upon  my  mind,  but  different  from  ail.  While  the 
Soul  is  under  the  power  of  Faith,  the  perfon  of 
Chrift  is  often  prefented  to  the  imagination.  But 
what  I  fpeak  was  not  this  ;  rather  I  fuppofe,  it 
was  a  fimilitude  of  what  is  feen  in  Eternity.  But 
ftill  only  a  fimilitude  :  for  while  we  are  in  the  body, 
all  the  operations  of  God's  Spirit  are  wrought  upon 
our  body  and  fpirit,  infeparably  conjoined.  We 
are  now  compofed  of  a  material  and  immaterial 
part :  and  nothing  can  poffibly  a6t  upon  one, 
without  affe6i:ing  both.  But  by  and  by~  we 
fhall  be,  for  a  feafon,  pure  Spirit :  afterward?, 
joined  to  a  fpiritual  Body,  fo  totally  different 
from  this  corruptible    body,  that  what   we   then 

^  perceive 


[    8    ] 

perceive  will   be    different  from  all  we   perceive 
now. 

It  may  be  afked,  "  Was  the  Appearance  glo- 
rious ?"  It  was  all  divine:  it  was  Glory,  I  had 
no  conception  of:  it  was  God.  The  firft  time  the 
Glory  of  him  I  faw,  reached  even  to  me :  I  was 
overwhelmed  with  it,  body  and  foul,  penetrated 
through  with  the  rays  of  Deity. 

"  But  was  it  light  ?"  It  was  not  brightnefs, 
more  than  darknefs.  Our  common  acceptation 
of  Glory  above,  is  that  of  fomething  glittering^ 
and  fomething  that  is  our  own.  But  here  are  two 
miflakes :  I.  We  do  not  confider  the  difference 
between  this  and  the  other  world.  To  us.  That  is 
excellent  which  is  bright  and  fhining  :  but  v/hat  is 
excellent  to  them,  is  of  a  kind,  which  hitherto 
we  have  no  conception  of.  2.  We  imagine  Glory 
to  be  fomething  that  is  our  oivn  ;  whereas  it  is  all 
things  centering  in  God.  Separate  from  him, 
there  is  nothing  glorious :  fpotlefs  Souls  would 
loath  themfelves,  and  their  grace  and  glory,  could 
it  be  pofleffed  out  of  God.  But  there  he  is  the 
firft  and  the  lafl,  the  mighty  All.  All  things  are 
by  him,  and  all  things  are  to  him  ;  flowing  back 
to  their  firft  rife,  and  refting  in  him  as  their  eter- 
nal Center.  There  the  clamour  of  felf-feeking 
and  felf-complacency  ceafes,  or  it  would  not  be 
Heaven.  We  only  know.  That  God  is  :  and  he, 
being  what  he  is,  is  our  All. 

In  confequence  of  this,  I  could  never  reft  in 
Grace  abfent  from  God.  After  I  had  beheld  him, 
nothing  but  his  prefence  could  fuffice.  This 
wrought  in  me  much  thankfulnefs,  that  the  dark- 
nefs of  the  Mofaic  Difpenfation  is  pafl  ;  that  the 
true  light  (hines  on  us,  and  we  are  admitted  within 
the  veil,  to  fee  what  many  prophets  and  righteous 
men  could  not.  The  feeble  now  exceed  in  com- 
munion 


\ 


Z    P    1 

mnnicn  tvlth  God,  the  chief  under  the  old  cove- 
nant :  and  the  lead  in  the  Gofpel  State  enjoy 
more  of  the  Divine  Nature,  than  the  greateft  be- 
fore Chrift  came.  It  alfo  caufed  me  to  give  up 
all  thoughts  of  an  Heaven,  that  was  not  God 
himfeif  above  all  things,  and  all  things  in  him  : 
his  prefeiKe  making  the  bleffednefs  of  the  out- 
ward Manfion  prepared  for  us. 

Though  /t  doth  mt  appear  what  we  Jhall  be^ 
yet  the  things  of  earth  are  patterns  of  things 
above.  Whatever  is  now,  will  be  hereafter,  only 
exifling  in  a  different  mode.  And  that  which 
we  were  in  our  iirft  creation,  the  fame  will  re- 
main for  ever.  Man  is  compounded  of  Body  a:nd 
Soul ;  and  will  be  fo  to  eternity.  He  has  now 
many  faculties  and  capacities  ;  and  fo  he  will 
have  hereafter.  And  this  diverfity  of  powers,  re- 
quires diverfi'ty  of  employment.  The  outward 
man  was  formed  for  the  outward  things,  which 
God  difpUyed  in  the  Creation.  But  all  blefTedn^ft 
lies  in  union  with  his  Spirit  :  here  is  the  rife  and 
center  of  all  Enjoyment,  the  Channel  through 
which  all  d^fcends,  and  wJiat  alone  conftitutes 
Heaven.  Whether  on  Ea;rth  or  in  Heaven,  we 
derive  nothing  from  God  feparate  from  himfelf ; 
but  hy  being  one  Spirit  with  hrm,  we  receive  the 
Gift  through  union  with  the  Giver. 

Our  Underftan-ding  rifes  higher  than  the  Senfes, 
contemplating  the  Works  and  the  Attributes  of  God. 
But  the  foul  has  capacities  higher  than  this ;  Ca- 
pacities of  admitting  an  immediate  intercourfe  with 
God.  Here,  indeed,  human  language  fails.  But, 
if  I  may  be  allowed  the  exprefllon,  this  Part  of  the 
Soul  cannot  iloop  to  any  thing  lefs  than  Union 
with  God.  The  Underftanding,  meantime,  can 
rife  no  higher,  than  to  contemplate  his  perfec- 
tions :  and  the  Senfes  can    rife  no  higher  than  to 

be 


[     lo     1 

be  employed  In  remote,  indirefl:  participations  of 
God,  through  thofe  outward  things  which  are  fo 
many  vehicles  to  convey^  tlie  Knowledge  of  God, 
by  the  manifeflation  of  his  power,  wifdom,  and 
goodnefs  in  thefe  his  loweft  works. 

Let  it  not  be  conceived  from  any  thing  which 
has  been  faid.  That  the  foul  poffefles  God's  in- 
communicable Eflence,  or  enters  into  that  Union, 
by  which  the  Three  are  One  Jehovah  :  or  that 
through  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  we  partake 
of  the  Divine  Nature  in  the  fame  manner  that 
God  exifls  in  himfelf.  The  former  is  the  error  of 
yacob  Behmeny  and  Mr.  Lavj  ;  the  latter  of  fuch 
fpiritual  writers  as  Arndt.  All  that  God  is,  is 
incommunicable  and  incomprehenfible.  There- 
fore, v/e  cannot  partake  of  the  leaft  degree  :  no, 
nor  conceive  what  it  is.  Only  it  is  fomething  di- 
vine, which  bears  a  correfpondence  with  the  per- 
fe6tion  of  the  divine  nature.  And  our  Redemption 
is  a  reftoration  by  being  united  to  Chrift,  not  as 
the  Father  and  Son  are  united,  but  as  branches  in 
a  vine. 

But  as  we  were  made  for  e^rnals  as  well  as 
internals,  and  for  intercourfe  with  creatures  as  well 
as  the  Creator,  one  alone  does  not  cprpplete  our 
Happinefs,  without  both  :  only  thi^difference  : 
Immediate  participation  with  God  exceeds  what 
is  received  through  the  mediuip  of  creatures  ;  and. 
himfelf  dwelling  in  us  is  n^Sij^than  all  outward 
difplays  of  his  Divinity.  ^^ 

When  Adam  was  formed,  it  was  In  the  likenefs 
of  God.  Firfl,  A  divine  refemblance  of  God  in 
his  Natural  and  Moral  Perfe6l:ions.  His  fimilitude 
in  the  Natural,  is  the  ground  of  it  in  his  Moral 
Perfedions.  Whatever  Wifdom  and  Power  is  in 
God,  we  have  fomething  correfpondent  therewith 
in    ourfelves      Again :    as    Truth,    Juftice,    and 

Mercy, 


r  »i  n 

Mercy,  are  in  God,  fo  there  is  the  fimilitude  of 
them  in  us.  What  God  really  is,  we  have  no 
dire6t  perception  of,  and  can  receive  no  real  com- 
munication of.  But  by  looking  intO  ourlelves, 
we  know  the  fame  mufl:  be  in  God,  only  in  a  man- 
ner fuitable  to  his  infinite  nature,  and  infinitely 
differing  from  ourfelves,  in  kind  as  well  as  in 
degree. 

Secondly,  The  Divine  Image  we  were  formed 
in,  was  the  nature  of  the  created  exiftence  of 
Chrifl  ;  as  he  is  the  beginning  of  the  creation  of  God, 
We  are  not  of  the  nature  of  Angels ;  "but  of  Chriil 
in  his  finite  exiftence.  This  made  the  Church 
capable  of  being  his  Spoufe.  And  this  relation 
feems  to  be  a  caufe,  why  we  were  redeemed. 
The  facred  nearnefs  to  himfelf  made  it  worthy  of 
Chrid  to  fuffer  for  us. 

This  image  confifted,  thirdly,  in  man's  being 
the  Vice-God,  or  head  of  the  Creation.  Let  them 
have  dominion,    faid  God,  over  all  the  Earth, 

Paradife  was  an  early  refemblance  of  the  glorious 
place  of  God's  abode.  Adam  took  pofleiTion  of 
it,  and  was  fet  to  drefs  and  keep  the  Garden.  But 
as  Paradife  muft  have  been  a  large  place,  and  as 
God's  Vicegerent  muft  have  had  no  employ  unfit 
for  a  divine  ftation,  his  office  muft  have  promoted, 
not  hindered  the  defign,  of  his  being  created  in 
the  likenefs  of  God.  To  keep  the  garden  was  to 
preferve  it  in  the  order  wherein  God  had  planted 
it.  To  have  made  this  the  work  of  his  hands, 
would  have  been  finking  him  into  earth  :  fome- 
thina:  like  the  toil  allotted  to  him,  after  his  tranf- 
greflicn.  Neither  coufd  the  hands  of  one  man 
have  drefled  fuch  a  garden  :  nor  does  it  feem  to  have 
been  a  work,  that  hands  could  have  any  part  in. 

Adam  was  endued  with-  intuitive  Difcernment. 

Reafon  was  beneath ,himi  and  was  the  Serpent's 

'-- Vf^"^     ^  prerogative; 


[      12     ] 

prerogative  ;  bearing  the  fame  proportion  ta 
Adam's  Knowledge,  as  groping  in  the  dark  does  to 
walking  in  the  clear  light.  By  his  Authority  he 
gave  names  to  all  Creatures,  and,  by  his  intuitive 
Difcernmcnt,  he  fuited  the  name  to  foraething 
peculiar  in  the  nature  of  each. 

'Jhe  Creation  fecms  to  be  hieroglyphlcal, 
pourtraying  the  Creator.  All  that  which  affe6ted 
the  outward  fcnfcF,  was  emblematic  of  fome  attri- 
bute of  God,  and  a  vehicle  to  convey  a  delightful 
communication  of  it  :  fo  that  through  the  crea- 
tures the  Creator  was  conveyed,  and  man  made 
to  center  in  God. 

His  fupreme  Joy  confifted  in  direQ:  incercourfe 
with  God  :  the  next,  in  contemplating  his  Ex- 
cellencies :  the  loweft,  in  what  he  beheld  of  the 
outward  manifeftation  of  God,  or  tafled  in  the 
hieroglyphic  Garden  in  converfe  with  Eve,  and 
exercifing  his  office  of  ruling  over  the  Creation. 
Thefe  completed  his  joy,  and  were  the  type  of 
what  he  v/as  to  enjoy  more  perfectly  above. 

Hereafter  the  Soul  is  to  enjoy  the  fulnefs  of 
God,  and  to  dwell  in  his  immediate  prefence, 
having  abilities  to  contemplate  his  excellencies, 
and  by  means  of  the  Refurreftion-body,  to  enjoy 
the  local  Heaven,  and  the  fellowfhip  of  the  Saints. 
Thefe  conjointly  will  complete  the  Joy,  which  no 
one  of  them  alone  would  do. 

What  the  Refurre<3:ion-body  is,  and  what  its 
capacities  are,  we  know  not.  But  we  know 
its  powers  will  be  amazing  :  and  thefe  employ- 
ments equal  and  fultable  to  them.  And  both,  the 
Body  and  all  its  offices,  are  fubfervient  to  the 
Soul's  receiving  its  full  happinefs. 

The  Houfe  not  made  with  hands  is' all  divine. 
The  City  has  the  glory  of  God y  and  her  light  is  like 
a  jafper  Jlone,  clear  as  chryfaL     The   vjall   is   of 

jafper. 


[     13     3 

jafpery  the  city  of  pure  gold.  The  gates  have  an- 
gels for  ever  and  ever  attending  on  the  favoured 
inhabitants  :  and  each  is  faid  to  be  made  of  one 
pearl,  to  fhew  that  the  work  was  beyond  eftima- 
tion.  God  and  the  Lamb  dwell  in  the  city,  and 
are  the  light  and  temple  thereof.  The  light  and 
walls  are  jafper,  to  which  he  that  fitteth  on  the 
throne  is  compared.  The  light  of  the  city  enters 
not  in,  but  flows  out  on  thofe  that  are  not  holy 
enough  to  enter.  Neverthelefs,  they  walk  in  the 
light  of  it,  as  the  inhabitants  of  its  fuburbs. 

The  fame  may  be  faid  of  Grace  as  of  glory. 
Many  are  fo  engaged  with  outward  things,  that 
though  they  are  fpiritually  employed,  yet  their 
dwelling  is  not  within  the  City,  but  in  the  diflant 
light  of  it.  I  long  for  better  things  iov you  :  and 
wifh  you  to  be  engaged  in  fecuring  to  your- 
felf  a  place,  where  God  and  the  Lamb  dwell  for 
ever ! 

In  the  internal  Heaven  is  God  the  Spirit,  under 
the  emblem  of  pure  -water,  termed  a  river,  for  its 
abundance,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne.  The  ex- 
periences of  Grace  below,  are  from  the  Father 
and  the  Son.  And  the  enjoyment  of  glory  will 
be  from  God  and  the  Lamb,  and  from  the  throne.  A 
throne  is  the  higheft  glory  of  kings  :  and  to  reiscn 
is  the  higheft  office,  and  the  moft  a6live  part  "of 
kingly  greatnefs.  This  we  fhall  pofTefs  with  ' 
Jefus,  as  Co-heirs  of  his  kingdom.  For,  as  one 
experience  of  Grace,  fo  does  one  manifeftation  of 
glory  differ  from  one  another.  And  that  which 
proceeds  from  the  throne,  is  the  higheft  that  is  com- 
municable. This  is  from  the  Faither  and  the  Son, 
in  glorious,  eternal  fellowihip,  through  the  fpirit 
ot  one  undivided  Jehovah.  There  is  no  curfe,  but 
ail  is  now  as  if  God  had  never  been  offended  :  no 
C  {m, 


t  14  ] 

fin,  forrow,  grave ;  but  the  beatific  vlfion,  and 
immediate  accefs  to  it. 

The  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb  is  in  the  city. 
So  the  place  out  of  which  the  Hving  waters  ifiue, 
is  itfelf  their  abode.  They  fee  his  face  ;  which 
implies  accefs,  and  a  nature  capable  of  knowledge, 
fellowlliip,  and  union,  with  him  we  behold.  His 
name  is  en  the tr foreheads  ;  his  nature  in  their  ef- 
ience^  and  appearing  in  their  countenance.  On 
this  is  founded  the  pofTeflion  of  all  they  enjoy. 

In  our  ilate  of  probation,  God  was  our  center  : 
vet  not  fo  fully,  but  there  were  appetites  as  well 
as  capacities  for  other  thing?.  In  heaven,  he  is  fo 
our  center,  that  there  remains  no  appetite,  no  ca- 
pacity for  any  thing  but  God  ;  therefore,  no  pof- 
llbility  of  falling  :  not  that  the  j'>Iace  makes  us 
immutable,  neither  our  hclinefs  :  but  when  God 
engages  his  omnipotence  on  our  behalf,  that  is 
our  immutability. 

Many  are  the  hinderances  of  our^jijpmmunion, 
at  leall:  of  our  full  Communion  with  the  Father 
and  the  Son  :  unobferved  Sloth,  fecret  Unfaith- 
fulnefs  to  the  grace  we  have  received  :  not  perhaps 
doing  what  God  forbids,  but  omitting  to  do  what 
he  requires.  Hereby  a  dying  infenfibility  fteals 
upon  us,  and  our  garment  is  deftroyed  before  we 
find  it  is  hurt.  It  is  hurt  by  our  not  prefTing 
near,  but  being  content  to  hve  at  a  diflance  from 
God  :  by  our  ceafing  to  watch  ;  or  to  firive  by 
our  thruiling  away  the  crofs,  or  neglecting  to 
bring  forth  fruit  meet  for  repentance.  If  we 
fail,  Vv'e  do  not  rife  inftantly,  and  fly  to  be  reccn^ 
ciled  to  the  Son.  When  his  vjrath  is  kindled  hit 
a  little^  then  we  might  draw  near  ;  but  we  keep 
off,  till  our  heart  is  hardened. 

Some  lofe  all  their  Communion  with  God  at 
once;  but  moft  bv  flow  degrees.     They    do  not 

add 


c  15  ] 

add  the  graces  of  the  Gofpel  to  Fai||i,  and  fo 
gradually  lofe  their  fpiritual  fight,  forgetting  that 
the  defign  of  Grace  is  to  purify  nature,  and  that 
all  is  vanity  but  the  Love  of  Jefus.  Hence  they 
indulge  themfelves  in  the  common  things  of  lik, 
as  food  and  drefs.  -They  allow  themfelves  all  they 
like,  and  only  facrifice  the  offals  to  God.  Can 
thefe  retain  Communion  with  him  ?  How  few 
will  make  themfelves  poor  with  Chrill,  and  fliare 
poverty  with  his  members  ?  So  God  cannot  deal 
bountifully  with  them,  becaufe  they  are  flraitened 
in  their  own  bowels. 

Other  Hinderances  are  :  We  do  not  humble 
ourfelves  as  little  children.  We  do  not  bear,  yea, 
in  a  fenfe,  fubmit  to  the  froward,  giving  pLicc 
Uiito  wrath.  We  do  not  fludy  to  improve  by 
the  daily  crofs  :  we  do  not  fee  the  need  and  the 
ufe  of  it. 

We  do  not  behave  to  thofe  under  us  with  proper 
mildnefs,  and  as  confidering  the  greateft  among  us 
is  to  be  the  leaft.  We  do  not  fee  the  good  of  being 
of  no  reputation,  of  being  defpifed  andrejecled  of 
nfen.  Nay,  perhaps  there  is  a  groffer  hinderancc. 
We  are  not  exactly  temperate.  Even  in  the  ad- 
vanced  ftages  of  grace,  this  may  be  the  cafe. 
When  nature  is  decayed  by  age  or  trials,  then  wc 
endeavour  to  repair  it  by  Drink.  Nay,  let  Chrift 
be  our  Cordial.  Be  content  with  him  and  let  him 
do  what  feemeth  him  good. 

In  the  beginning  of  my  Converfion,  I  was  much 
led  by  divine  impreflions  in  lleep.  Some  warned 
me  of  temptation  or  fm  ;  fome  of  approaching  af- 
fliftion  :  others  quickened  me  in  the  way,  or 
comforted  me  through  hope  of  feeing  the  pro- 
mifes  fulfilled.  When  my  experience  was  leaft,  I 
had  mod  of  thefe  •,  but  they  were  never  wholly- 
withdrawn. 

C  2  I  feemed 


[     i6    3 

I  feeiAl  In  my  fl»ep  to  be  often  with  Chnfl- 
I  carried  him  an  infant  in  my  arms.  I  heard  him 
fpeak.  I  walked  with  him,  and  faw  him  work 
Miracles.  I  helped  to  fupport  him  in  his  Agony  : 
faw  him  crucified,  and  was  crucified  with  him. 
I  faw  the  approaches  of  the  Lafl:  Day,  and  waited 
the  trumpet's  found.  Another  time  we  all  flood 
before  Jefus.  I  cried  in  an  agony  to  be  made  fit. 
i  was  made  fo,  and  rejoiced. 

In  September  1761,  I  returned  from  the  Weft 
to  Brentford.  One  for  whom  I  had  been  forrc^>^- 
ing  for  years,  had  greatly  finned  in  that  place  ; 
and  I  knew  it  not.  I  dreamed,  and  faw  a  glorious 
Building.  None  might  enter  into  it  that  were  not 
holy.  At  my  firO  going  in,  I  faw  many  looking 
one  way,  and  attending  to  one  thing.  I  looked 
the  fame  way,  and  faw  our  Lord  furrounded  by  a 
fmaller  company.  I  went  near;  but  there  was  a 
partition  that  incircled  them,  and  none  might  go 
in  that  had  not  on  white  robes.  Chrift  Jefus  was 
fpeaking.  I  got  near  him,  and  alked,  **  Where 
I  was  to  be  ?"  He  pointed  near  to  his  feet.  Im- 
mediately a  door  opened,  a^id  a  white  robe  covered 
me.  I  went  in,  and  fell  at  his  feet;  and,  in  an 
agony  of  Prayer  for  that  man,  awoke. 

Now  feek  ye  the  Lord  !  And  all  ye  that  love 
him,  fee  that  ye  hate  the  thing  that  is  evil.  All 
that  have  communion  with  him,  follow  righteouf- 
nefs  :  ye  that  are  Jefus's  flieep,  hear  his  voice  ! 
He  calls  you  to  die  with  him,  to  rife,  and  live  forever ! 
O,  let  us  devote  Body  and  Soul  to  him  1  And  let 
us  part  from  all  that  is  unlike  the  Refurre£bion-Iife 
of  both  the  outward  and  inward  man  !  Be  willing 
to  faffer,  that  ye  may  reign  ;  and  patiently  over- 
come, that  ye  may  inherit  all  things. 

CHARLES  PERRONET. 

Shorehaniy  May  1772, 

LET- 


C    17    ] 

LETTER        II, 

[The  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wefley, 
alking  Advice  concerning  his  entering  into 
Holy  Orders.] 

Rev.  Sir,  Nov.  2^,  i7S^. 


A 


S  I  look  on  you  as  my  fpiritual  Guide,  and 
cannot  doubt  of  your  patience  to  hear,^nd  your 
experience  to  anfwer  a  ferious  queftion  propofed 
by  any  of  your  people,  I  freely  lay  my  cafe  before 
you.  Since  the  firil  time  I  began  to  feel  the  Love 
of  God  'filed  abroad  in  my  heart,  which  was,  I 
think,  when  feven  years  of  age,  I  refolved  to  give 
myfelf  up  to  Him  and  the  fervice  of  his  Church  if 
ever  I  was  fit'for  it;  but  the  corruption  which  is 
in  the  world,  and  that  which  was  in  my  heart, 
foon  weakened,  if  not  erafed  thofe  firfl  characters 
that  G^race  had  w^rote  upon  my  heart :  however, 
I  went  through  my  iludies  with  a  defign  of  going 
into  Orders,  but  aftervv^ards  upon  ferious  reflections, 
feeling  I  was  unequal  for  fo  great  a  burden,  and 
difgufted  by  the  neceflity  I  lliould  be  under  to 
fubfcribe  to  the  doctrine  of  Prcdeftinatlon,  I 
yielded  to  the  defire  of  my  friends  who  would  have 
me  go  into  tlie  army  ;  butjufl  before  I  quite  en- 
gaged into  a  military  employment  I  met  with 
fuch  difappointments  as  occafioned  my  comingttp 
England.  Here  I  was  called  outwardly "  tl^e 
times  to  go  into  Orders,  but  upon  prayin^^  lo 
God  that  if  thofe  Calls  were  not  from  Him  they 
might  come  to  nothing  :  fomcthing  always  blailed 
C  3  the 


[  i8  ] 
the  defigns  of  my  friends,  in  which  I  have  often 
admired  the  goodnefs  of  God,  who  has  fo  many 
times  hindered  me  from  milling  into  that  impor- 
tant employment  as  a  horfe  does  into  the  battle: 
but  I  never  was  more  thankful  for  this  favour  than 
fince  I  heard  the  Gofpel  preached  in  its  purity. 
Before  I  had  been  afraid,  but  then  I  trembled  to 
meddle  with  Hcly  Things,  and  refolved  to  work 
out  my  falvation  privately,  without  engaging  into 
n  way  of  life  which  required  fo  much  more  grace 
and  gifts  than  I  was  confcious  to  have  :  but  yet 
from  time  to  time  I  felt  warm  and  ftrong  defires 
to  cafl  myfelf  and  all  my  inability  upon  the  Lord, 
if  I  fhould  be  called  any  more,  as  knowing  that  he 
could  help  me  and  fliow  his  flrength  in  my  weak- 
nefs  ;  and  from  time  to  time  thofe  defires  were 
encreafed  by  fome  httle  fuccefs  that  attended  my 
exhortations  and  letters  to  my  friends. 

I  think  it  necefTary  to  let  you  know.  Sir,  that 
my  Mafter  often  defired  me  to  take  Orders,  and 
laid  that  he  would  foon  help  me  to  a  Living  ; 
lo  wliich  I  coldly  anfwered  I  was  not  fit,  and  tfiat 
befides  I  did  not  know  how  to  get  a  title.  The 
thing  was  in  that  ftate  when  about  fix  weeks  ago 
a  Gentleman  I  hardly  knew,  offered  me  a  Living 
which  in  all  probability  v/ill  be  vacant  very  foon  ; 
and  a  Clergyman  that  I  had  never  fpoke  to,  gave 
me  of  his  own  accord,  the  title  of  Curate  to  one  of 
his  Livings.  New,  Sir,  the  queff  ion  wliich  I  beg 
you  to  decide  is,  whether  I  mud  and  can  make 
ufe  of  that  titl^tto  try  to  go  into  Orders.  For  as  for 
the  Livings  were  it  vacant,  I  have  no  mind  to  it, 
becaufe  I  think  I  could  preach  with  more  fruit  in 
my  country  and  in  my  own  tongue.  I  am  in  fuf- 
pcnce  :  for  on  the  one  fide  riniy  heart  tells  me  I 
mud  try,  and  it  tells  me  fo  whenever  I  feel  any 
'kgree  of  the  Love  of  God  and  man  :  tut  on  the 

otl  er^ 


[     19     3 

other,  when  I  examine  whether  I  am  fit  for  It,  ^ 
fo  plainly  fee  my  want  of  gifts,  and  efpccially  o' 
that  foul  of  all  the  labours  of  a  Mmirter  of  thfe 
Gofpel,  Love,  continual,  univerfal,  flaming 
Love,  that  my  confidence  difappears,  I  accufe 
myfelf  of  pride,  to  dare  to  entertain  the  defire  of 
fuppbrtlng  one  day  tlie  Ark.  of  the  Lord,  and  I 
conclude  that  an  extraordinary  punifhment  will 
fooner  or  later  overtake  my  raihnefs  :  as  I  am  in 
both  thofe  frames  fucceffively,  I  mufl  own  Sir,  I 
do  not  fee  plainly  which  of  the  two  ways  before 
me  I  can  take  with  fafety,  and  I  fhallbe  glad  ^  to 
be  ruled  by  you,  becaufe  I  trufl  God  will  dire6l 
you  in  giving  me  the  advice  you  think  will  heft 
conduce  to  his  glory,  the  only  thing  I  would  have 
in  view  in  this  affair  :  I  know  how  precious  is  your 
time,  I  defire  no  long  anfwer,  perjiji  or  forbear 
will  fatisfy  and  influence 
Sir, 

Your  unworthy  Servant, 

JOHN  FLETCHER. 

LETTER        m. 

[To  the  fame.l 
Rev.  Sir,  London,  May  26,  175^. 


I 


F  I  did  not  write  to  you  before  Mrs.  Wefley 
had  aiked  me,  'tis  not  that  I  wanted  a>  remem- 
brancer within,  but  rather  an  encouragS"  without. 
There  is  generally  upon  niy  heart  fuch  a  ferife  of 
my  unworthinefs,  that  I  dare  hardly  open  my 
mouth  before  a  child   of   God    fometimes,    and 

think 


[20       ]■ 

think  It  is  an  unfpeakable  honour  to  (land  before 
one  who  has  recovered  fomething  of  the  image  of 
God,  or  fincerely  feeks  after  it.  Is  it  poffible 
that  fuch  a  finful  worm  as  me  fhould  have  the 
privilege  to  converfe  with  one,  whofe  foul  is  be- 
fprinkled  with  the  blood  of  my  Lord  ?  The 
thought  amazes — confounds  me,  and  fills  my 
eyes  with  tears  of  humble  joy.  Judge  then  at 
whatdiftance  I  mufl:  fee  myfelf  from  you,  if  I  am 
fo  much  below  the  leafl:  of  your  children  ;  and 
whether  a  remembrancer  within  fuffices  to  make 
me  prefume  to  write  to  one,  whofe  fhoes  I  am  not 
worthy  to  bear.  I  rejoice  that  you  find  eve- 
ry where  an  increafe  of  praying  fouls.  I  doubt 
not  but  ^he  prayer  of  the  jull  has  great  power 
with  God  ;  but  I  cannot  believe  that  it  fhould  hin- 
der the  fulfilling  of  Chrift's  gracious  promifes  to 
his  Church  :  he  muft  and  will  certamly  come  at 
the  time  appointed,  for  he  is  not  flack  as  fome 
men  count  (lacknefs  ;  and  though  he  wouid  have 
all  come  to  repentance,  yet  he  has  not  forgot  to 
be  true  and  juft.  Only  he  will  come  with  more 
mercy,  and  will  increafe  the  light  that  fliall  be  at 
evening-tide,  according  to  his  promife  in  Zach. 
xiv.  7.  I  fliould  rather  think  that  the  vifions  are 
not  yet  plainly  difclofed,  and  that  the  day  and 
year  in  which  the  Lord  will  begin  to  make  bare 
his  arm  openly,  is  ftill  concealed  from  us.  I  mud 
fay  concerning  Mr.  Walfti,  as  he  faid  once  to  me, 
concerning  God.  I  wifh  1  could  attend  him  every 
where  as  Eliflia  attended  Elias  ;  but  fince  the  will 
of  God  calls  me  from  him,  I  mufi:  fubmit  and 
drink  the  cup  prepared  for  me.  I  have  not  {een 
him,  unlefs  for  a  few  moments,  three  or  four 
times  before  divine  fervice  :  we  mufi:  meet  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  or  meet  but  feldom.  O  when 
will    the    communion   of    faints    be    compleat  ? 

Lord 


[      21      1  • 

Lord  haften  the  time,  and  let  me  have  a  place 
among  them  that  love  thee,  and  love  one  another 
in  fincerity  ! 

I  fet  out  in  two  days  for  the  country.  O  may 
I  be  faithful  !  harmlefs  like  a  dove,  wife  hke  a 
ferpent,  and  bold  as  a  lion,  for  the  cemmon 
caufe  !  O  Lord  do  not  forfake  me,  fland  by  the 
weakeft  of  thy  fervants  and  enable  thy  children  to 
bear  with'me,  and  wreftle  v^'ith  thee  in  my  behalf  I 
O  bear  with  me  dear  Sir,  and  give  me  your  blef- 
fmg  every  day,  and  the  Lord  wit!  return  to  yott 
fevenfold. 

I  am, 

Rev.  Sir, 

Your  unworthy  Servant, 

JOHN  FLETCHER. 

LETTER        IV. 

[From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher,  to  MifsF — ,  and 
Mifs  R— .3 

Dear  Sifiers,  Odober  i,  1 759* 


I 


Have  been  putting  off  writing  to  yoti,  left  the 
action  of  writing  fliould  divert  my  Soul  from  the 
awf^il  and  delightful  worfliip  it  is  engaged  in  ;  but 
now  conclude  I  fhall  be  no  lofer,  if  I  invite  you  to 
love  him  my  fcul  lovetli,  to  dread  him  my  foul 
dreadeth,  to  adore  hire  my  foul  adoreth  :  fink 
with  me,  or  rather  let  .ae  fmk  with  you,  before 
the  Throne  of  Grace  ;  and  while  Cherubims  veil 
their  faces,  and  cry  out  in  tender  fear  and  ex- 
quifite  trembling.  Holy  !  holy  !  holy  !  let  us  put 
our  mouths  in  the  dull,  and  echo  back  the  folem.n 

found.. 


C  22  ] 
found.  Holy !  holy !  holy !  Let  us  plunge  our- 
felves  in  that  ocean  of  purity  :  let  us  try  to  fathom 
the  depths  of  divine  mercy  j  and  convinced  of  the 
impoffibiiity  of  fuch  an  attempt,  let  us  lofe  our- 
felves  in  them  ;  let  us  be  comprehended  by  God, 
if  we  cannot  comprehend  him  ;  let  us  be  fupremeiy 
happy  in  God  ;  let  the  intenfenefs  of  our  happi- 
nefs  border  upon  mifery,  becaufe  we  can  make 
him  no  return.  Let  our  head  become  waters, 
and  our  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears—tears  of  humble 
repentance,  of  folemn  joy,  of  filent  admiration, 
of  exalted  adoration,  of  raptured  defires,  of  en- 
flamed  tranfports,  of  fpeechlefs  awe.  My  God 
and  my  all  ! — your  God  and  your  all!  our  God 
and  our  all  !  Praife  him  ;  and  with  our  fouls 
blended  into  one  by  divine  love,  let  us  with  one 
mouth  glorify  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chri/i  ; 
our  Father y  who  is  over  ally  through  all  and  in  us 
all.  I  charge  you  before  the  Lord  Jefus  v;ho 
giveth  life  and  more  abundant  life.  I  intreat  you 
by  all  the  a6tings  of  faith,  the  ftretchingsof  hope, 
the  flames  of  love  you  have  ever  felt,  fmk  to  great- 
er depths  of  felf-abafing  repentance,  liO^  to  great- 
er heights  of  Chrift-exalting  joy  ;  and  let  him 
who  //  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly  more  than  you 
4ifk  or  think,  carry  on,  znd  fulfil  in  you  the  zuork  of 
faith  with  power  ;  with  that  power  whereby  he 
fubdueth  all  things  unto  himfelf :  befledfafi  in  hope, 
vnmoveable  in  patience  and  love,  always  abounding 
in  the  outward  and  inward  labour  of  love,  and 
receive  the  end  of  your  Jaith,  the  falvation  of  your 
fouls. 

I  am,  dear  Sifters, 

Your  real  Well-wifher, 

JOHN  FLETCHER. 

LET- 


C      23      ] 

L     E     'J'    T     E     R        V. 

[From  the  Rev.  Mr.   Fletcher,  to   the   Rev.  Mr. 

Wefley.] 

Madeley,  June  6,  1781. 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 


I 


Rejoice  to  hear  that  your  fpirltual  bow  abide* 
in  ftrength.  I  would  have  wifhed  you  joy  about 
it  fince  my  arrival,  if  I  knew  where  a  letter  could 
overtake  you.  I  heartily  thank  you  about  the 
direftlons  you  give  me  to  hinder  my  bow.  To  fi^.- 
fplit,  from  breaking  quite.  Now  I  mufl:  imitate 
your  prudence,  or  the  opportunity  of  doing  it  will 
loon  be  loft  for  good. 

I  would  do  fomething  in  the  Lord's  vineyard, 
but  I  have  not  fl:rength.  I  can  hardly,  without 
over-doing  myfelf,  vifit  the  fick  of  my  Parifh  ;  I 
v/as  better  when  I  left  Switzerland,  than  I  am 
now  ;  I  had  a  great  pull  back  in  venturing  to 
preach  in  the  fields,  in  the  Cevennes,  to  =  about 
two  thoufand  French  Proteftants.  I  rode  thirty 
miles  to  that  place  from  Montpelller,  on  horfe- 
back,  but  was  obliged  to  be  brought  "back  in  a 
carriage.  And  now  that  I  am  here  I  can  neither 
ferve  my  Church,  nor  get  it  properly  ferved. 
Mr.  G — s  owns,  the  place  is  not  fit  for  him,  nor 
he  for  it.  He  will  go  when  I  can  get  fome  body- 
to  help  me  :  could  you  fpare  me  brother  E ? 

It  would  be  a  charity.  Unlefs  I  can  get  a  Curate 
zealous  enough  to  ftir  among  the  people,  I  will 
give  up  the  place  :  it  would  be  little  comfort  to 
me  to  (lay  here  to  fee  the  dead  bury  the  dead.  I 
thank  G®d   however,  for  refignation  to  his   will. 

A« 


\ 


[  24  ] 

As  foon  as  I  {hall  difcein  it  clearly,  I  fhall  follow 

it,  for  I  truft  I  have  learned  in  what  ftate  foever  I 

am,  therewith  to  be  content.     What  a  blefTmg  is 

Chrift    to    the   foul,    and  health  to    the    body  ! 

When  you  go  to,  or  come  from  the  Conference, 

be  fo  good  as  to  remember  that  you  have  now  apil- 

grim's    houfe    in    the    way   from    Shrewfbury    to 

Brofeley  ;  and  do  not  go  and  climb  our  hills  witli-* 

out  baiting.     At    our    firft   interview,  I  fhall   afk 

your  thoughts  about  a  French  Work  or  two  I  have 

upon  the  anvil  ;   but  which   I  fear  1  fliall  not  have 

time  to  finilh.     Be  that  as  it  will,   God  needs  not 

the  hand  of  Uzzah  nor  my  finger,  t%keep  up  his 

ark.     I    read   with  pleafure  and  edification,  your 

Arminian    Magazine.     Your   ftorehoufe   is  inex- 

hauftible.  ^.TChe  Lord  ftrengthen  you  to   Nejior^s 

years,  or  rather,  to  the  ufeful  length  of  St.  John's 

life.     It  is  worth  living  to  ferve  the  Church,  and 

to  teach  Chrift iaffe^to  love  one  another. 

I  am.  Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  ,, 

YourafFe6tionate,  though  unprofitable  Servant, 

JOHN  FLETCHER. 

LETTER        VL    ' 

[Td  the  fame.]  ^ 

Madeley,  June  24,  1781. 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 


A 


to  Mifs  L- ,  I  believe  her  to  be  a  fira- 

ple,  holy  follower  of  the  Lord.  Nothing  throws  «;?- 
fcriptural  Myfticifm  down  like  holding  out  the 
promise  of  the  Fathef,  and  the  fulnefs  of  the 
Spirit,  to  be  received  noix)^  h^Jaith  in  the  two 
Promifers,  the  Father  and  the1yc,*z,.     Ah  !  what  is 

tbe 


\ 


c  2;  1  '*••      -', 

the  penal  fire  of  the  Myftics,  to  the  burning  love  of 
the  Spirit,  revealing  the  glorious  pov/er  of  the 
Father  and  the /5"o«,  according  to  John  xiv,  26,  and 
filling  us  with  all  the  fulnefs  of  God  ?  Plain  Scrip- 
ture is  better  than  all  Myftic  refinements. 

When  I    was  at  N ,  near  Geneva,    three 

Miniflers  received  the  Word,  and  preached  the 
Truth.  When  perfecution  arofe  becaufe  of  the 
Word,  the  two  Paflors  were  afraid  ;  but  the  Cu- 
rate of  the  firft  Paflor,  a  Burgefs  of  the  town, 
flood  by  me.  This  Timothy  opened  his  hbufe, 
when  tlAteaflors  ftiut  both  their  pulpits  and 
houfes  ;  ^Jp^eard  him  preach  a  Difcourfe  before 
Icame  a^lf  M^orthy^fj'i'z/,  Sir,  upon  the  heights 
and  depthpl.OT  nolinefs.  He  wrote  an  apology  for 
me,  which  he  fent  to  the  head  of  the  j^erfecuting 
Clergy,  and  fo  flopped  the  torrent  of  wrath.  Pie 
made  obfervations  upon  the  mifchief  done  to 
Chriflianity  by  abad  Clergy,  fuchas  George  Fox, 
and  you.  Sir,  would  not  difown.  When  I  told 
him  of  you  and  the  Methodifls,  he  expre^a  gre|^ 
defire  to  come  to  England,  to  hear  you^tt)  i^i 
the  Englifh  brethren,  and  to  learn  Englifli,  that 
he  might  read  your  Works,  and  perhaps  tranflate 
fome  of  them.  He  can  have  no  Living  in.  his 
own  country,  becaufe  he  will  notfivear  to  profe- 
cute  all  ivho  propagate  Arminian  'Tenets :  which  is, 
more  honefl  than  the  Clergy,  many  of  whom  ar 
Arians,  Socinians  or  Deills,  and  do  not  fcrupic 
to  take  the  Calvinian  Oaths  !  I  fhall  endeavour 
to  wait  upon  you  at  Leeds  at  the  time  of  the 
Conference  :  in  the  mean  time, 

I  am.  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

Yoyr  obedient  Servant, 
And  afFe6i:ionate  Son  in  the  Gofpel, 
/^  JOHN  FLETCHER. 

L  E  T- 


'^fir 


/3p^ 


[       26      ] 

LETTER.     VII. 

[From   the    Hoiifekeeper    at    Kingfwood-School 
to  the  Rev.  J.  Wefley.] 

Kingfwood,   Oct.  30,   1748. 
Dear  and  Rev.  Sir, 


W: 


HEN  I  look  back  upon  my  paft  life,  and 
fee  the  directing  and  over-ruling  hand  of  my  gra- 
cious God,  1  am  aftoniflied,  and  cry  out,  Lord, 
what  is  man  ?  and  what  am  1  ?  an  u(|d^teful,  re- 
bellious worm,  not  worthy  the  grOTnd  I  tread 
upon.  Even  in  this  lafl:  call  of  liis  Providence, 
how  have  J  redfted,  and  mixed  bitter  draughts  in 
my  own  cup,  which  the  Lord  never  deiigned  for 
me?  But  it  was  my  perverfenefs  and  littlenefs  of 
faith:  LHftened  to  the  voice  cf  the  enemy,  rather 
than  the  voice  of  God:  I  could  not  trufl  him, 
though  he  had  been  my  refuge  \\\  every  time  of 
trouble.  How  did  he  gently  ftrive  to  fubdue  my 
ilubborn  fpirit,  calming  my  fears,  and  fhining  in 
upon  my  foul  with  fuch  clear,  demonftrative 
light,  that  I  could  no  longer  withlland.  I  then  rofe 
up,  and  feebly  followed  the  fmall  ftill  voice.  ^  I 
foon  found  obedience  brings  its  own  reward.  ^^1y 
anxiety,  my  doubts,  and  diftrufi:  all  vaniflied, 
and  a  Iweet  calm  fucceeded,  which  has  continued 
ever  fince.  1  know  not  v/hat  the  Lord  is  about 
to  do  with  nre;  but  I  am  enabled  to  leave  it  all  to 
him.  O  may  I  never  again  take  the  matter  out 
of  his  great  hand;  but  lay  my  body,  foul,  and 
fpirit,  all  that  I  have  and  am,  at  his  feet !  Q^at 
he  would  make  me  as.  a  weaned  child^  iimply 
ing  up  to  him  for  all  things! 


[     27     'J 

The  fpirit  of  this  family  is  a  refcmblancc  of  ihc 
houfhold  above.  As  far  as  I  can  difcern,  they 
are  given  up  to  God,  and  purfue  but  the  one 
great  end.  The  Lord  in  a  pecuhar  manner,  pre- 
terveth  us  from  the  rocks  on  either  hand,  and  we 
fafely  walk  between  them.  Having  our  G(^d  for 
our  guide,  what  can  harm  us.''  Nothing  {wt  loi- 
ing  fight  of  him  .  and  for  .this  there  is  .ltd  necef- 
lity. 

1^  any  is  afraid  this  fchool  willeciipfe  and  dark- 
en others,  or  that  it  w-ill  train  up  foidiers  to  pro- 
claim open  war  againft  the  God  of  this  world,  I 
believe  it  is  nor  a  groandlefs  fear.  For  if  God  con- 
tinues to  blefs  us,  ^*one  of  thefe  little  ones  fliall 
chafe  a  thoufand."  I  doubt  not  but  there  will  a- 
rife  ambafladors  for  the  King  of  kings  from  this 
obfcurefpot,  that  Ihall  fpread  his  glory  all  abroad, 
and  bring  many  fouls  unto  the  knov/ledge  of  the 
truth. 

Dear  Sir,  we  beg  your  conftant  prayers,  with 
thofc  of  all  the  brethren  with  you.  May  the  Lord 
bear  you  all  as  on  eagles  wings,  and  comfort  and 
cflablifli  your  hearts  together !  This  day  1  felt  my 
ipirit  minghng  with  my  beloved  London  friends  : 
and  it  was  fvveet  confolation.  It  will  not  be  long 
ere  we  Hiall  meet  in  our  Father's  houfe,  to  rejoice 
together  throughout  an  happy  eternity.  -Pray  al- 
ways for 

Your  unworthy, 

affectionate  Servant  in  the  Gofpel, 

MARY  DAVEY- 


D  2 


%  r  -8  J 

LETTER.         VIII. 

[To  the  fame,  From  a  poor,  happy  Woman,  then 

living  in  the  Orphan-Houfe  at  Newcaftle.] 

Newcaftle,  Nov.  i,  1748. 
11  ev.  Dear  Sir, 


I 


Think  we  never  had  a  more  blefTed  time  in 
this  lionfej  lince  it  was  a  houfe.     I  know  of  no 

tiling  amifs  betwixt  Siller  M and  me:  but  we 

cannot  be  as  one  foul  (as  you  exprefs  it) ;  for  you 
know,  fhe  muft  have  a  little  pre-eminence,  1  am 
exceeding  willing  that  ftie  fnould;  and  fo  we  live 
in  great  peace,  and,  I  believe,  in  love. 

You  may  expedl  plain  dealing  from  me ;  and  if 
I  thought  you  diftrufted  me,  I  would  not  write j 
but  I  am  fully  perfuaded  you  do  not:  and  there- 
fore why  (hould  I  hide  a  heart  from  you,  that  is 
quite  uncovered  before  the  all-feeing  eyes  of  God  ? 
1  may  poffibly  deal  too  openly  with  others;  but  I 
am  fully  convinced,  I  never  can  with  you.  Nay, 
I  could  heartily  wifh  that  you  faw  all  that  is  in  my 
heart;  you  could  then  be  a  better  judge  of  it 
than  I  am  myfelf. 

I  know  not  how  to  agree  to  the  not  working. 
I  am  Hill  unv/illing  to  take  any  thing  from  any 
body.  I  work  out  of  choice,  having  never  yet 
learned,  how  long  a  woman  can  be  idle  and  inno- 
cent. I  have  had  as  blefled  times  in  my  foul  fit- 
ting at  work,  as  ever  I  had  in  my  life ;  efpecially 
in  the  night-time,  v»'hen  I  fee  nothing  but  the 
light  of  a  candle  and  a  white  cloth,  hear  nothing 
but  the  found  of  my  own  breath,  with  God  in  my 
fight  and  heaven  in  my  fcul,  I  think  myfelf  one 
of  the  happieft  creatures  below  the  Ikies.     I  do 

not 


[     29     ] 
not  complain,  that  God  has   not  made  mc   fcr 
fine  thing,  to  be  fet  up  to  be  gazed  at;  bur  I  can  \  • 
ly  blefshim,  that  hehasnr;ade  mejuft  what  ' 
creature  capable  of  the  enjoyrrent  ofhirnielf     ' 
to  the  window  and  look  out, I  ieethemocn  ai- 
I   meditate  a  while   on   the  lilence.4  of  the  iii^hi:, 
conhder  this  world  as  a  beautiful   firuclure,    the 
work  of  an  almighty  hand ;    thcnn"  lit  down    to 
work  again,  and  think  myfel"f  one  &  the  happieit 
beings  in  it.     I  do  not   rnurmur   bftauHe  I  have 
not  what  they  call  goods  of  fortiin^  or   a   little 
Ikin  deep   beauty ;    but  I    am  happy  J-  becpuf,^    as 
long  as  God  lives,  I  fhall  enjoy  hiiri^.  fo  long  as 
there  is  a  heaven,  I  fliall  pofTefs  it.     if  iliis  thoi;ght 
cannot  make  me  happy,  without  any'.€bing  elle,   I 
deferve  to  be  milerable.     Then  hoAv  cani  enough 
adore  that  Redeemer,  who  bought  qji  thefe  privi- 
leges for  me  with  hi  own  blood  ?  Bift  here  v/ords 
fail  me,  and  lean  fay  no  mere  :  I  firkdeep  into  mv 
own  nothingnefs,  and  cry  out,   with  aftoniihment, 
O  what  has  God  done  for  me ! 

O  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  no^more  be  found 
unfaithful.  Dear  Sir,  pray  foirfme,  that  f  may 
be  always  watchful  and  ferious  ;/that  all  my  con- 
verfation  may  adorn  the  gofpej.'  To  the  divine 
protedlion  I  commit  that  which  is  dearell  to  mc 
ctn  earth,  and  remain  . 

Your  affcdlionateand  lovinp  child, 

JE ANNIE  KEITH. 


i' 


L  E  T- 


[     30    ] 

LETTER.        JX. 

[From  IVfrs.  Elizabeth  Mann,    to  Mr.  Weftey.] 


I 


London,  September  14,  1749. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 


Triifl  you  do  not  forget  to  pray  for  me  •,  for, 
indeed,  I  have  need.  I  feel  myfelf  now,  as  at  all 
times,  a  poor  helplefs  creature,  unable  to  do  any 
thing  without  the  mighty  power  of  God,  unlefs  it 
be  to  lin  againfthim  ;  and  the  more  I  feel  of  my 
own  weaknefs,  the  more  I  defire  to  feel  of 
It.  I  think  I  would  fain  be  nothing,  that  Chrifl 
might  be  all  in  all :  it  is  fo  blefled  and  plcafant  a 
thing,  to  receive  all  from  him,  who  is  fo  ready  to 
l)eftow  upon  me,  that  I  would  not  accept  of  any 
ftrength  or  help,  but  what  cometh  from  him  a- 
lone:  and,  indeed,  I  have  need  of  ro  other.  His 
grace  is  fufficient  for  me.  O,  what  a  myftery  is 
the  life  of  faith  !  how  weak  is  the  foul  that  hangs 
on  Jefus  •,  and  yet,  how  ftrong  .''  Of  itfelf  it  is  not 
able  to  ftand  againft  the  leaft  enemy,  but  muft 
neceflarily  fall  a  prey  to  the  weakeft,  even  of  its 
inbred  foes :  but  through  him  it  is  able,  not  only 
to  wreftle  with  llefh  and  bKTod,  but  with  principa- 
lities and  powers:  with  the  rulers  of  the  darknefs 
of  this  world;  and  with  fpiritual Avickednefs  in 
high  places :  and  is  made  more  than  conqueror, 
through  his  love,  who  is  become  the  Captain  of 
our  falvation. 

I  often  meditate  on  the  happinefs  of  thofe  fouls, 
who  have  wholly  ceafed  from  their  own  works, 
and  feel  every  moment  that  it  is  Chrift  thatwork- 

eth 


[  '31  ] 
ctli  all  their  works  in  them  ;  and  arc  always  fenfi- 
ble,  that  it  is  not  themfelves  that  fpeak,  but  the 
Spirit  of  their  Father,  which  fpeaketh  in  them  : 
and  whofe  every  thought  proceeds  from  that  foun- 
ain  of  all  holinefs  and  perfection.  O  what  a  hea- 
ven is  there  opened  in  that  foul !  and  what  a  burn- 
ing and  (liining  light  is  it  to  all  around !  Within 
all  is  holy  and  undefiled,  ffnd  there  is  nothing  to 
annoy  ordifturb  that peace,which continually  flow- 
eth  as  a  river  :  and  I  think  to  all  without  them, 
their  words  muft  come  with  life  and  power.  O 
what  a  reft  is  this  !  how  worthy  of  the  Almighty 
Author,  to  beftow  on  all  that  fear  and  wait  up- 
on him !  iVnd  yet,  it  is  no  wonder,  that  human 
nature  fhould  ftagger  at  the  greatnefs  of  the  pro- 
mife  through  unbelief:  efpecially,  as  it  isfo  much 
the  intereft  of  the  great  enemy  of  mankind,  we 
fhould :  indeed  he  does  not  much  concern  himfelf, 
when  men  give  only  a  cool  aflent  to  the  truth  of 
the  promife :  but,  when  a  foul  is  ftirred  up  to  fol- 
low hard  after  it,  then  the  devil  ftirs  up  all  the  un- 
belief of  our  nature,  and  is  continually  fuggefting, 
how  can  thefe  things  be?  But  when  a  foul  is  en- 
abled to  furmount  thefe  oppoiitions,  and  can  ftea* 
dily  behold  the  promife,  though  it  be  afar  ofF, 
how  inexcufable  is  it,  if  it  be  not  every  moment 
panting  and  longing  for  the  poiTeflion  of  it  ?  Butj^ 
alas !  where  falls  this  ceniiire  ?  It  overwhelflf^ 
myfelf:  now  my  foul  earneftly  defires,  and  pan^ 
after  that  glorious  liberty :  but  how  often  is  it  dtib 
and  languid,  in  the  purfuit  thereof:  nay,  perhaps, 
for  fome  moments,  I  lofe  fight  of  the  high  prize 
of  my  calling.  O  when  Ihall  this  be  fo  no 
more :  when  fhall  my  foul  cry  without  ceafing, 
*'  Come  Lord  Jefus,  and  fet  up  thy  kingdom  ful- 
"  ly  in  my  heart ;  and  reign  thou  thyfelf  the  Lord 
y  of  every  motion  thcrc.'^ 

Peaip 


-2L 


rr^ 


[  32  ] 
Dear  Sir,  help  me  by  your  prayers,  not  only  to 
follow  after  this  reft,  but  to  attain  it.  And 
that  the  Lord  may  blefs  you  in  all  your  ways, 
and  profper  the  work  of  your  hands  upon  you, 
and  fill  your  foul  with  all  his  fulnefs,  is  the  prayer, 
and  unfeigned  defire  of 

Your  ufiworthy  Daughter, 

ELIZABETH  MANN. 

LETTER        X. 
[From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wefley,  to  Mifs .} 


February  21,  1759. 

JL  RCBABLY,  Mifs ,    this  may  be  the 

laft  trouble  of  the  kind,  which  you  will  receive 
from  me.  Therefore  you  may  forgive  me  this  : 
and  the  rather,  when  you  confider  my  motives 
to  it.  You  know,  I  can  have  no  temporal  viev7  : 
I  can  have  none  but  a  faint,  diftant  hope,  (be- 
caufe  with  God  all  things  ;are  poiTible)  of  doing 
fome  fervice  to  one  whom  I'love.  And  this  may 
anfwer  the  queftion  which  you  might  naturally 
afk,  "  What  would  you  have  ?  What  do  you 
want  with  me  ?"  I  want  you,  |fet,:.jfi  be  a  con- 
vert to  my  opinions  ;  but  to  be  JT member  of 
Chrift,  a  child  of  God,  and  an  helppof  his  king- 
dom 1  Be  any  thing,  as  to  outward  profelHon, 
fo  you  are  lowly  in  heart :  fo  you  refift  and  con- 
quer every  motion  of  pride,  and  have  that  mind 
in  you,  which  was-alfo  in  Chrift  Jefus.  Be  what 
you  pleafe  befides :  only  be  meek  and  gei.tle,  and 
in  patience  poflefs  your  foul :  fo  that  one  may 
truly  fay  to  you 

CalB3 


V 


i    33    1 

Calm  thou  ever  art  within. 
All  unruffled,  all  ferene  ! 

Hear  what  preacher  you  will :  but  hejir  the  voice 
ofGcd,  and  beware  of  prejudice  and  everyhinkind 
temper  !  Beware  of  fooliili  and  hurtful  defires, 
or  they  will  pierce  you  through  with  many  for- 
rows.  In  one  word,  be  any  thing,  but  a  trifler : 
a  Trifler  with  God  and  your  own  Soul.  It  was 
not  for  this,  that  God  gave  you 

<«  A  mind  fuperior  to  the  vulgar  herd  !" 

Nq,  Mifs ,  no  !  But  that  ycu  might  em- 
ploy all  your  talents  to  the  glory  of  him  that 
gave  them.  O  do  not  grieve  the  holy  Spirit  of 
God  !  Is  he  not  flill  driving  with  you  ?  Striv- 
ing to  m.ake  ycu,  net  almoft,  but  altogether  a 
chriflian  ?  Indeed  you  mufl  be  all  or  nothing  : 
a  faint,  or  a  devil  !  Eminent  in  fin,  or  holi- 
nefs.  The  good  Lord  deliver  ycu  from  every 
fnare,  and  guide  your  feet  in  the  way  of  peace  ! 
How  great  a  pieafure  would  this  give  to  all  your 
real  friends,  and  in  particular  to. 

Your  affectionate  Servant, 

For  Chrift's  fake, 
JOHN  WESLEY. 

L    E    T[^    T    E    R        XL 

[To  the  fame.] 

Colchefter,   March  20,  17^9* 


M 


Y   Wife,    Mifs ,    furprifed  me  laft 

•'ghr,  by    informing  me,  you  are  left  miftrefs  of 

a  large 


[  34  1 
a  large  fortune.  Shall  I  fay,  agreeably  furprifed 
me  ?  I  cannot  tell :  becaufe  I  believe  there  is 
another  world.  And  I  do  not  know,  what  influ- 
ence this  change  may  have  on  your  condition  : 
therefdhe  I  am  in  fear,  and  in  hope.  You  may 
be  hereby  far  more  happy,  or  far  more  miferable 
in  eternity  !  O  make  a  fland !  Confidcr  the 
fituation  you  arc  in  :  perhaps  never  before  were 
you  in  fo  great  danger.  You  knew  a  little  of  your 
natural  tempers  :  now  ycu  have  means  of  in- 
dulging, and  thereby  inflaming  them  to  the  utter- 
moll.  And  how  many  will  incite  you  fo  to  do  ? 
Ho\y  few  will  dare  to  warn  you  againil  it  ?  Now 
what  food  will  ycu  have  for  pride  P  What  in- 
finite temptations,  to  think  m.ore  highly  than  yc4i 
ought  to  think  ?  You  do  fo  already.  But  oh, 
where  will  you  flop  !  The  good  Lord  arrefl  the 
ftorm  in  mid  career  !  Hov/  impetuoully  new, 
(unlefs  God  interpofe)  rciuik  fe^f-will  whirl  you 
'Aong  ?  How  deeply  (unlefs  he  help)  will  you 
fliortly  be  immerfed  in  practical  atheifm  ?  As 
ten  thoufand  things  will  concur  to  drive  Gcd  out 
of  your  thoughts,  as  much  as  if  he  were  not  in  the 
world.  But  above  all,  how  will  ycu  efca'pe  from 
being  fwailowed  up  in  idolatry  ?  Love  of  the 
v.'orld,  fuch  as  you  never  knew  before  ! 

Hitherto  you  have  been  greatly  fuperior  to 
every  delicacy  iny^c^.-  but  even  this  may  aflauli 
A  ou  now  :  and  perhaps  raife  in  you  other  de/ires, 
v/hich  you  are  now  a  ftranger  to.  At  prefent,  you 
are  above  the  follies  oi  drefs  :  but  will  ycu  be  lb 
a  twelvemonth  hence  ?  May  you  not  eafily  flilfiE 
into  the  pride  of  life,  in  this  as  well  as  other  ijp- 
fiances  ?  Efpecially  confideringhow  your  vanityvii^ 
be  gratified  thereby.  For  who  will  not  admire 
and  applaud  your  admirable  tafte  ?  It  will  unly 
remain  for  you   to  marry  iom^  agreeable  perfon, 

that 


[    35     ] 

that  has  much  wit  and  fenfe,  with  httle  or  no 
religion  ;  then  it  is  finiftied  !  Either  you  will 
be  thro-uj^hly  miferable  in  this  world,  or  mifera- 
ble  to  eternity. 

"  But  what  bufincfs  is  this  of  yours  ?  Cannot 
vou  let  me  alone  ?  What  jiavc  I  to  do  with  you  ?" 
Believe  me,  I  could  very  eafify  let  you  alone,  if  I 
had  not  a  real  and  tender  good-will  toward  you  : 
and  if  I  did  not  know  (what  perhaps  you  do  not)  ^ 
that  you  have  need  even  of  me.  You  v/ant 
friends  who  underfland  you  v/ell,  and  who  dare 
tell  you  the  whole  plain  truth  :  and  yet  not  in  a 
furly,  imperious  manner  ;  for  then  you  could  not 
receive  it.  I  Have  endeavoured  to  do  this  once 
more.  Will  you  ncft  fiprgive  me  ?  I  cannot 
but  think,  if  you  do  not' thank,  you  will  at  leail 
excufe. 

Your  affeciiionate  Servant, 

JOHN  WESLEY. 

LETTER         XII. 

[From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wciley,  to .] 

■      Dear  Sir,  May  i6,   1759. 

OlNCE  I  received  your  favour,  I  have  had 
many  thoughts  on  worldly  and  chrif!:ian  prudence. 
What  is  the  nature  of  each  ?  How  do  they  difi'cr  ? 
How  may  we  diftinguifh  one  from  the  other  ? 

It  feems  -worldly  prudence,  either  purfues  'world- 
ly ends,  riches,  honour,  eafe,  or  plcafure  ;  or 
purfues  chrifhian  ends,  on  Tj.orldly  maxims^  or  by 
'worldly  means.  The  grand  maxims  which  obtain 
in    the    world   are,  the   more    power,    the   more 


[  36  ] 
money,  the  more  learning,  and  the  more  repu- 
tation a  man  has,  the  more  good  he  will  -de. 
And  whenever  a  chriftian,  purfuing  thenoblefl 
ends,  forms  his  behaviour  by  thefe  maxims,  he 
v/ill  infallibly  (though  perhaps  by  infenfible  de- 
grees) decline  into  worldly  prudence.  He  will 
ufe  more  or  lefs  of  conformity  to  the  world,  if 
not  in  fin,  yet  in  doing  fome  things  that  are  good 
in  themfelves,  yet  (all  things  confidered)  are  not 
gDod  to  him  :  and  perhaps  at  length  ufmg  guile, 
or  difguife,  Emulation  or  difllmulation,  either 
feeming  to  be  what  he  is  not,  or  not  feeming  to 
be  what  he  is.  By  any  of  thefe  marks  may 
worldly  prudence  be  difcerned  fiom  the  wifdcm 
which  is  from  above. 

This,  chrifii an  prudence  purfues  cTiriJlian  maxims 
and  by  chrijiian  means.  The  ends  it  purfues  are 
holinefs  in  every  kind,  and  in  the  higheft  degree  ; 
and  ufefulnefs  in  every  kind  and  degree.  And 
herein  it  proceeds  on  the  following  maxims,  The 
help  that  is  done  upon  earth,  God  doth  it  himfelf : 
it  is  he  that  worketh  all  in  all.  And  that,  not  by 
human  power  :  generally  he  ufes  weak  things  to 
confound  the  ftrong  :  not  by  men  of  wealth  ;  moft 
of  his  choiceft  inftruments  may  fay,  *^  filver  and 
gold  have  I  none  :"  not  by  learned  or  "  wife  men 
after  the  flefh  :  no  ;  the  foolifh  things  hath  God 
chofen  :  not  by  men  of  reputation  ;  but  by  the 
men  that  were  as  the  filth  and  ofF-fcouring  of  the 
v/orld  :  all  which  is  for  this  plain  reafon,  "  That 
no  flelh  may  glory  in  his  fight." 

Chriftian  prudence  purfues  thefe  ends  upon 
thefe  principles,  by  only  chriftian  means.  A  truly 
prudent  chriftian,  while,  in  things  purely  in- 
different, he  becomes  all  things  to  all  men,  yet 
wherever  duty  is  ct)rtcerned,  matters  the  example 


U^/ 


1 


'  [    37     ]       . 

of  atll  mankind  no  more  than  a  grain  of  fand.     Hit 
word  is  then. 


-  Non  me,  qui  <:actera  vincit 


Impetus,  at  rapidocontfafius  evehor  orbi. 

He  will  not,  to  gain  the  favour,  or  fliun  the 
hate  of  all,  omit  the  lead  point  of  duty.  He  can- 
not prevail  upon  himfelf  on  any  account  or  pre- 
tence, to  ufe  either  fimulation  or  dlilimulation. 
There  is  no  guile  in  his  mouth :  no  evafion  or 
ambiguity.  Having  one  defire,  one  defign,  to 
glorify  God  with  his  body  and  with  his  fpirit  \ 
having  only  one  fear. 

Left  a  motion,  or  a  word, 

Or  thought  arife,  to  grieve  his  Lord. 

Having  one  rule,  the  word  of  God  ;  one  guide, 
€ven  his  Spirit,  he  goes  on  in  child-like  fimplicity. 
Continually  feeing  him  that  is  invifible,  he  walks 
in  open  day.  "Looking  unto  Jefus,  and  deriv- 
ing ftrength  from  him,  he  goes  on  in  his  fteps, 
in  the  work  of  faith,  the  labour  of  love,  the 
patience  of  hope,  till  he  is  called  up,  to  be  ever 
with  the  Lord 

Oh,  that  this  were  In  all  points  your  own  cha- 
ra£ker  i  Surely  you  defire  it  above  all  things. 
But  how  (hall  you  attain  ?  Difficulties  and  hin- 
derances  furround  you  on  every  fide  !  Can  you 
bear  with  my  plainnefs  ?  I  believe  you  can  } 
Therefofe  I  will  fpeak  without  any  referve.  I 
fear,  you  have  fcarce  one  friend  who  has  not 
more  or  lefs  of  the  prudence  which  is  not  from 
above.  And  I  doubt  you  have  (in  or  near  your 
own  rank)  hardly  one  example  of  true  chriftian 
prudcQce  I  Yet  I  am  perfuaded,  your  own  heart 
K  ftdvifei 


C     33     3 
advifes  you    right,  or  rather  God    in   your  heart. 
Oh,  tha*  you  may  hearken  to  his  voice  alone,  and 
let  all  creatures   keep   fjjence  before  him  !  '   Why 
fnould  they  incumber  you   with   Saul's  irmour? 
If  you  cffay  to  go  forth   thus,  it  will  be  in  vain. 
You  have  no  need  of  this,  neither  of  his  fword  or 
fpear  :  for  you  truft  in  the  Lord  of  Hofts.     Oh, 
go  forth   in   his   ftrength  ;  and  with  the  ftones  of 
the  brook,  you  fhall  overthrow  all  your  enemies  ! 
I  am,  dear  Sir, 
Your  obedient  Servant  for  Chrift's  fake, 

JOHN  WESLEY. 

LETTER        Xlir. 

[To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Weil-y  ] 
Rev.  Sir,   -  Feb.   1761. 


I 


Have  jufl  received  yours,  for  which  I  thank 
you.  But  alas !  how  apt  are  we  to  miftake  in 
judging  of  others  ?  You  imsL^in^  faying  and  doing, 
are  with  me  tlie  fame  thing  :  but  indeed  they  are 
not.  For  though,  blefled  be  God,  I  have  much 
light  in  many  things,  I  have  {['ill  very  little  power. 
O  how  wide  is  the  difference,  between  an  Out- 
ward and  an  Inward  Chriftian  !  *  I  now  know,  I 
may  be  outwardly  devoted,  and  given  up  to  the 
Work  of  God,  and  yet,  whenever  Jefus  draw? 
near  to  blefs  me,  never  be  found  at  home :  never 
liftening  to  the  ftill,  fmall  Voice,  by  which  alone 
true  WifJom  can  be  learnt.  But  I  am  not  circum- 
fpefit  in  outward  things  :  indeed  I  am  not.  I  gm 
very  negligent  in  denying  myfelf  and  taking  upn: , 
crofs.     Any    thing    that    would  help    me    in    il.c 

pratiiv  ; 


[  39  J 
pra6tice  of  this,  would  do  me  much  fervlce.  Never 
was  my  foul  in  more  danger  than  now  ;  and  I  feel 
the  want  of  inward  Holinefs  more  than  ever.  It 
is  a  very  dangerous  precipice,  to  be  blefl.  to  the 
fouls  of  others,  and  needs  the  whole  Omnipotence 
of  God,  to  fave  us  from  being  deftreyed  therebry'; 
For  I  often  find  a  Work  of  Mercy,  nay,  a  Means 
of  Grace,  ftand  between  my  Soul  and  Chrift.  I 
have  toiled  till  my  body  was  almoll:  laid  up,  w-h^ii 
all  the  time  it  would  have  been  more  pleafing  to 
God,  had  I  been  hewing  wood  or  drawing  water, 
with  my  foul  evenly  carried  out  after  Him.  O 
Sir,  Holinefs,  Holinefs  is  the  thing  we  want  ;  to 
have  Jefus  our  all  in  all  !  Till  this  is  efFefted, 
whenever  I  point  another  to  the  Lamb  of  God, 
fomething  in  rhyfelf  cries,  "  Behold  me  !  behold 
me  1"     And  I  feel  the  weight  of  thofe  wprds, 

\       ■"  Yea  though  by  faith  vafl  hills  I  could  remove. 
Yet  all  is  nothing  without  perfe6t  Love." 

And  why  fhould  this  be    delayed  any  longer  ? 

r-What  amazing    Anfv/ers    to  many  Prayers,  have 

Woth  you  and  I  received,  with  regard  to   outv/ard 

things  ?     And   will  not  tl\e  fame  love  more  a|)un- 

dantly    conftrain    him    to  l^lefs   us  in  our  foul^'? ' 

— Surely  this  is    an  acSsptable   time  !     Yet 

the  devil  continually  flrives'^to  difcourage  me, 
and  fuggefts,  "  God  will  not  d©  for  tliee  as  he 
has  done  for  others."  But  I  wZ/Ttrud  him  :  and 
I  do  believe,  if  from  this  ti:1?^  'we  fix  our  eye 
fteadily  on  the  prize  of  oi^igh  calling,  the  Lord 
will  fhortly  bring  it  into  c^hearts.  The  Lord's^ 
ear  is  not  heavy,  nor  his  hand  fliortened  that  it  ^ 
cannot  fave.  O  that  we  may  now  pierce  heaven 
with  our  cries,  and  never  ceafe  tilf  we  fee  his 
E  2  full 


^jrl 


L    4'>    ] 

full  Salvation !  May  the  Lord  renew  your  ftrcngthy 
and  fill  your  foulwith  love! 

I  am,  yours,  &-c. 

M.  R. 

■1%    ^^  -^-*  ».%.*^^    g    I  ifc%    ^^    ^  ■  -I  ^  *"— •    ■*^».%.  fc»^   ^  ^  ^Ik.  w#.  ^  ^ 

LETTER         XIV. 


T 


[To  the  fame.] 
Dear  Sir,  March  7,  1 761, 


HE  Lord  has  of  late  laid  me  on  the  hearts  of 
many  of  his  children  :  fo  that  feveral  of  them 
faid,  they  could  not  reft,  till  he  had  delivered  me. 
For  this  fortnight  he  has  been  many  times  very 
nigh;  but  ytt  the  Tons  of  Anak  feemed  to  tri- 
umph, till  on  Thurfday  morning,  being  at  prayer, 
I  felt  an  hope,  that  he  would  keep  me  every  mo' 
ment.  Yet  I  durft  not  fay,  "  Chrift  has  delivered 
me  :"  but  **  he  will  bruife  Satan  under  my  feet 
Ihortly."  And  \  felt,  as  it  were,  a  claim  to 
Jefufl,  fuch  as  I  never  remember  before.  On 
Friday  I  faw  his  exceeding  willingnefs  to  fave, 
and  could  almoft  believe.  At  InterceiTion,  I  felt 
every  word  fnik  into  my  foul :  yet  foon  after  [ 
was  furrounded  with  fuch  forrow  and  anguifh, 
that  I  could  not  forbear  crying  cut  exceedingly. 
I  then  felt  a  little  power  to  believe  ;  and  my  foul 
w  as  calm.  And  I  could  not  pray  for  any  thing, 
but  that  he  would  do  with  me  what  feemed  him 
good.  When  I  waked  this  morning,  my  foul 
feemed  abfoliuely  empty  :  only  I  found  power  to 
lie  before  Jefus.  After  we  left  you,  we  went 
to  Mr.  Jay^s^  when  the  power  of  God  was 
prefent    indeed,    and    even    I   could   fay,    «*  He 

-IK'lll 


^V 


[     4'     3 

w///  keep  me  without   fpot  unto  the  day  of   re- 
demption.'* 

What  tlie  Lord  has  done,  I  know  not  ;  but  I 
find  an  exceeding  great  change.  Thofe  fins  that 
held  me  in  the  clofefl  bondage,  I  know  not  what 
is  become  of  them.  I  am  accufed  ahiioft  every 
moment ;  but  before  I  can  look,  the  thing  is  gone. 
I  feel  no  defire,  but  for  Chrifi: :  no  fear  but  of 
lofing  my  hold  of  him.  Yet  I  am  often  fo  tempt- 
ed to  give  it  up,  that  it  isalmofi:  more  than  I  can 
bear..  I  have  but  li.t.tle  love  for  God,  though  I 
love  nothing  To  well.  I  feel  a  little  difference  eve- 
ry hour,  and  I  long  to  fee  Jefijs  glorified.  Yet  I 
do  not  feem  to  be  fo  joined  to  him  as  I  would  : 
only  under  his  peculiar  care,  it  feems,  the  man 
of;  fin  is  taken  out  of  my  heart,  but  I  am  not  af- 
fured  he  fiiall  never  return.  I  find  more  need  of 
walchfulncfs  and  prayer  than  ever,  and  of  the 
means  of  all  kinds.  May  there  not  be  a  meafure 
of  pure  love,  and  doubts  remain  ?  Be  that  as  it 
may,  I  will  trufi:  in  Jefus.  And  though  a  hoft  of 
foesfurround  me,  I  know  he  can  deliver  me  from 
them  all,  and  cafl  them  under  my  feet. 

I  remain,  yours,  d>cc. 

M.  B- 

LETTER        XV. 


I 


[To  the  fame.] 
'Dear  Sir,  May  5,  1761 


F  one  who  has  fo  much  more  grace  than  me  was 

deceived,  how    can    I  fiand   againd  all  the  fnare* 

thrown  in  my  way  ?     I  have  no  fecurity  but  this  : 

E  3  I  ana 


[    4^     ] 

I  am  ail  u'caknefs :  Chrift  is  all  ftrength.  I  dare 
rot  look  forward  in  any  thing  :  I  only  judge  for 
this  moment.  O  pray  for  me,  that  the  Lord  may 
teach  me  in  all  things !  The  ways  of  God  are  pail 
finding  out :  may  his  dear  Will  be  done  I 

In  order  to  obtain  the  bleffed  fruit  of-Iove,  your 
fureft  way  is,  firft  to  get  the  Root,  It  is  the  Will 
of  God,  you  fhould  now  receive  it ;  and  then  all 
the  reft  will  follow.  O  let  us  look  to  Jefus  !  He 
knows  our  inmoft  foul,  and  he  will  heal  our  every 
wound  Do  you  fear  you  have  not  begun  to  be  a 
Chriftian  ?  O  how  dreadfully  did  I  fear  this,  the 
laft  quarter  of  an  hour  before  the  Lord  gave  me 
the  great  bleffing !  Continually  was  Satan  darting  that 
at  me,  **  Thou  art  not  juftified  !"  For  a  time  it 
much  difcouragcd  me.  But  I  found  the  readieft 
way  was,  to  go  immediately  to  Jefus,  and  fay, 
(whether  I  co\M  feel  it  or  not,)  **  I  caft  me  afrefh 
on  thy  atoning  blood.  I  will  truft  in  it ;  and  if  I 
perifli,  I  will  peri(h  at  thy  feet  !  I  ivtll  believe  ; 
for  I  am  thine.'*  I  held  to  this,  whatever  Satan 
could  fay.  And  this  going  continually  to  Chrift, 
is  all  we  want  in  every  ftate.  Were  you  ever  fo 
polluted,  wafh  in  the  all-cleanfing  blood,  and  you 
(hall  be  white  as  fnow.  O  fly  every  moment  to 
y/)ur  Ark  1  I  know  the  Lord  is  nigh  to  blefs 
you.  Caft  yourfelf,  again  and  again,  on  that 
freeious  blood  that  flowed  fo  freely  for  you  ! 
Claim  your  Saviour  I  He  is  all  your  own  :  he 
hath  given  himfelf  for  you  f  Yea,  his  very  life 
he  did  not  with-hold,  but  bought  your  holinefs 
with  l*rOod  divine. 

I  am,  yours,  &-C. 

M.  B. 

ft 

L  E  T- 


I 


[     43     ] 

LETTER        XVI. 

tFrom  Mifs  B.  to  a  Friend.] 
Dear  Friend,  May  29,  1762. 


See  there  is  a  jealoufy  in  God,  which  I  did  not 
fo  clearly  difcern  before.  Well,  this  I  can  fay, 
blefled  be  his  Name,  all  my  will  is  his,  and  I  re- 
nounce, from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  every 
comfort  that  does  not  fpring  from  his  pure  Love 
alone.  But  this  I  know,  God  has  fo  laid  your 
burden  upon  me,  that  I  muft  continue  to  cry  ex- 
ceedingly for  you.  Oh  take  warning  by  me  f 
That  Saviour  who  feeks  your  heart^,is  jealous  above 
all  you  can  conceive.  He  will  not  have  a  di- 
vided heart ;  no,  not  in  the  leaft  degree.  O  that 
he  may  now  defcend,  and  fill  your  foul  with  the 
pure  flame  of  his  Love  !  I  know  there  is  a  fur- 
fmrc  ^r»r  you  to  pafs  through,  and  the  longer  before 
you  enter,  the  hotrci  1.  ."-"  '^row.  But  fear  not, 
my  dear  Friend  !  He  that  will  walk  with  yoii  i" 
the  Son  of  God.  The  prefent  difficulty  is  here  : 
how  to  enter  into  this  furnace  ?  But  is  not  God 
faithful  ?  And  will  he  not  fhew  you,  how  to  put 
away  all  That  which  his  Spirit  abhors  ?  I  know 
he  will :  only  let  your  weapons  be  earneft  Prayer, 
conftant  and  continued,  (whether  you  feel  a  de- 
fire  to  it  or  not.)  And  in  a  fliort  time  the  Lord 
will  guide  you,  as  his  pillar  of  fire  did  the  Ifrael- 
ites,  till  every  enemy  is  fallen  before  you,  and  you 
arc  in  full  poffeflion  of  the  promifed  land  ! 

I  am  yours.  Sue. 

M.  B. 
L  E  Tj 


o 


[    44     ] 

LETTER         XVII. 

[To  the  fame.] 
Dear  Friend,  June  5,   1762. 


How  blind  and  dark  is  all  human  wifdom  ! 
teach  me,  my  Saviour,  by  thy  Spirit !  I  thought 
God  called  me  to  give  up  correrponding  with  you : 
and  I  found,  I  could  readily  comply.  But  whether 
he  dots  call  me  to  it  or  no,  I  cannot  fee.  I  ratlior 
think,  he  does  net.  It  feems  to  me  at  prefent,  I 
am  to  continue  this  prayer,  **  Let  thy  Star  appear, 
5nd  I  will  follow  it.:"  and  that  in  the  mean  time, 
fSm  to  continue  writing ;  only  with  the  clofeft 
prayer  and  {l:ri6teft  watchfulnefs. 

The  burden  I  feel  for  you  is  very  heavy  ;  much 
heavier  than  I  ufed  to  feel  for  my  own  foul.  But 
if  in  a  little  .meafure  I  am  like  my"  Lord,  what 
does  his  tender  heart  feel  for  you?  The  way  you 
are  to  take    is   ftraiffh^befcre   yCU  :  fly.  to  your 

'-fcvirig,  bleeding,  dying  Saviour.  '  See  him  hanging 
on  the  accurfed  tree,  his  head  drooping  beneath 
your  load,  and  crying  in  the  midll  of  his  agony, 
**  Fear  not  !  all  thy  fms  were  laid  on  my  head, 
and  I  bore  them  all  away!  Return  unto  me;  for 
J  have  redeemed  thee  !  Wound  me  not  afrefh  ! 
Renounce  all  for  my  fake,  and  I  will  adorn  thee 
with  the  robes  of  my  Righteoufnefs."  O  accept 
the  offer  !  He  is jc?wr  Saviour.  Caft  yourfelf  juft 
as  you  are,   upon  him  ! 

Shutting  yourfelf  up  will  not  do.  The  root  is 
within.  Cut)  off  every  thing  that  would  nourifh 
^t.     Thofe  things,  we  here  fa'fly  call  Innocent^  are 

-^tlie  ri^ht  eye  to  be  plucked  cut.     If  you  were  be- 
*"  •.  Tieging 


[  45  1 
fjcging  ftrong  enemies,  and  had  no  hopes  o£  con- 
quering but  by  ftarvmg  them,  would  it  be  inno' 
centy  now  and  then  to  throw  them  a  little  bread  ? 
O  beware  of  fuch  innocent  things,  as  may  coft 
you  your  life !  And  ought  you  not  to  guard  others, 
as  well  as  yourfelf,  againft  them  ?  Remember,  you 
are  anfwerable,  if  you  do  not  teach  us,  the  rtri<5t- 
cft,  narroweft  path  of  Self-denial !  Yet  God  will 
he  better  pleafed  with  your  facrificing  yourfelf  to 
him,  than  if  you  were  to  fave  the  whole  world. 
I  am,  yours,  Sec. 

M.  B. 

LETTER.        XVIII. 

[From  Mifs  B.  to  a  Friend]. 

Dear  Friend,  July  6,  1762' 

X  Do  find  enough  in  Jefus :  I  dare  to  fay,  I 
love  him  with  all  my  heart.  Therefore  the  diffi- 
culty on  my  fide  is  done  away,  and  I  am  not 
tempted  as  before,  concerning  ^ow.  ButO!  be- 
ware, left  m  any  degree^  \  fhould  prove  a  tempta- 
tion to  you.  I  fear  left  you  fhotdd  fo  reft  on  any 
created  Good,  as  to  feel  lefs  need  of  Jefias  to  reft 
on.  O  fly  for  refuge,  reft  and  Happinefs  to  your 
bleeding  Lord !  Though  you  (hould  feel  as  if  he 
did  not  hear  or  anfwer,  yet  force  yourfelf  upon 
him,  and  plead  the  promi'e.  That  he  will  not  J  end 
you  a  'warfare  at  your  oivn  cojl,  AndtD!  be  ear- 
neft  with  him,  to  tear  away  your  All,  if  you  can- 
not ^ive  it !  O  that  you  may  caft  your  whole  foul 
on  Jefus,  and  find  in  his  Love  your  abiding  home  ! 
What  heights  and  depths  of  Holinefs  have  many 

attained 


[  46  ] 
attained  with  half  the  helps  and  half  the  time  that 
we  have  had  ?  My  dear  Friend,  from  this  mo- 
ment, let  us  know  nothing  but  Chrift  !  But  let  us 
remember!  If  we  would  know  Him,  we  muft 
know  him  crucified.  Yea,  we  mufl.  be  crucified 
with  him,  or  we  can  never  reign  with  him. 

How  may  you  be  crucified  with  him  ?  The  thing 
you  want  is  Faith :  Faith  to  believe  that  from  this 
moment  the  Captain  of  the  Lord's  hoftwill  go  be- 
fore you,  and  lubduc  all  your  Enem.ies  beneath 
your  feet  ?  By  the  power  of  that  Faith,  you  would 
fay  to  the  mountain  of  Sin,  **  Be  thou  caft  into  the 
fea,  and  it  would  obey.  O  cry  for  Faith !  May 
Jefus  bleis  you!"  Pray/^r  us,  as  we  do  ior you  f 
I  am  yours,  &c. 

M.  B. 

LETTER.         XIX. 


I 


Dear  Friend,-  July  1 6,  1762 


Have  many  fears  left  you  fliould  find  fuch  a 
Reft  in  the  enjoym.ent  of  your  Friends,  as  fhall 
hide  from  your,  eyes  your  need  of  Chrift  to  reft 
in.  When  I  cry  earneftly  for  you,  it  feems  to  me, 
that  this  is  the  very  hinderance.  And  I  tremble, 
left  I  fliould  be  one,  and  you  infenfible  of  it. 
Were  you  ienfible  of  the  danger,  and  watchful  a- 
gainft  it,  I  fhould  be  no  more  hurtful  to  yoi/,  than 
you  were  to  me  the  laft  two  months,  when  I  real- 
ly fought  with  all  my  might. 

Sure  I  am,  that  my  Jefus,  who  has  faved  you 
from  ten  thoufand  dargers,  is  now  waiting,  yea 
longing  to  fill  you  with  the  Faith  that  opens  hea- 
ven. And  though  we  find  our  heart  full  of  cor- 
ruption, 


[     47     ] 
ruption,  yet  I  am  a  witnefs,  if  we  difcern  and  ftrive 
againft  it,  it  will  not  long  hinder,  but  God  will 
fooii   cljiroy  the  man   of  fm^  by   the  breath  of  his 
mouth. 

I  blefs  God,  I  find  the  crofs  very  profitable  : 
though  at  times  it  has  lately  lain  fo  heavy  upon 
me,  that  without  a  very  particular  afliftance,  the 
fiielh  would  have  failed  before  him.  I  am  not  con- 
fcious  of  any  will  to  lay  it  down,  but  reft  in  this, 
Thy  will  be  done  in  all  things !  It  is  enough :  I 
can  truft  him  to  keep  my  will  from  ever  departing 
from  him.     He  does  keep  me  night  and  day. 

I  find  Jefus  very  prefent  with  my  foul.  And 
his  Spirit  continually  reproves  me,  if  I  fpeak  ufe- 
lefly,  or  too  much,  or  any  thing  in  the  leaft  de- 
gree contrary  to  love.  But  I  am  not  always  fo 
on  my  guard,  as  immediately  to  hear  his  voice. 
Therefore  I  fall  exceeding  fhort  of  the  perfect 
Law :  but  I  know  my  intereft  in  the  atoning  blood. 
And  my  will  does  not  err;  though  as  a  child  juft 
learning  to  read,  I  make  a  thoufand  blunders. 
Pray  for  me,  and  help  me  by  pointing  out  the  very 
narroiv^Ji  path. 

I  am  yours,  &c. 

M.  B. 

LETTER        XX, 
[From  Mrs,  W.  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wefley.] 
Dear  Sir,  May  2,   1-61. 


I 


Rejoice  at  your  approving  of  my  ardour  fpr 
the  caufe  of  God,  in  whofe  ftrength  I  hope  to 
go  on,  fo   as  to  amaze  myfelf,  as  well  as  thofe, 

who 


{  4«  3 
who  depend  upon  finning  as  lon^  as  they  live. 
The  Lord  has  gracioufly  given  me  a  clean  heart, 
and  r  hope  to  ufe  it  in  his  fervice.  I  find  I  fpeak 
lefs  than  I  did,  and  what  I  do  fpeak,  1  know  is 
according  to  the  will  of  God.  And  he  enables 
me  to  baffle  the  aflaults  of  wife,  reafoning  men, 
by  fimply  declaring,  **  I  love  the  Lord  with  my 
whole  heart,  mind  and  foul." 

I  was  thought  to  be  ftepping  into  eternity  laft 
week.  But  the  Lord  fpared  me,  to  go  up  with 
my  children  and  fervants,  to  Jerufalem,  to  wor- 
fhip.  He  was  there  of  a  truth  :  I  rejoiced  exceed- 
ingly, that  ever  I  was  born.  I  delivered  my 
children  into  the  Lord's  hands,  with  all  I  have, 
and  all  I  am.  I  find  my  love  to  the  Lord,  deep 
and  folcmn,  and  can  always  rejoice  in  him.  It  is 
not  in  my  power  to  defcribc  the  blefiiings  that  are 
fhowcred  upon  us.  I  truft  the  Lord  will  enlarge 
my  powers,  and  that  I  fhall  enrploy  them  all  for 
his  praife.  I  think,  he  is  willing  to  give  me  as 
much  as  any  daughter  he  has  on  earth.  O  pray, 
that  I  may  fo  ufe  the  grace  received,  as  to  gain 
fouls  for  him.  Do  not  think  I  boaiV,  I  feel  my- 
fclf  a  fcrap  of  dull:.  But  the  Lord  has  lifted  me 
up.  And  for  his  own  glorious  name's  fake,  he 
will  fufl-ain  me  to  the  end.  I  am  not  able  to 
ftir,  unlefs  Jefus  help  me :  I  am  nothing  !  Chrift 
is  all  in  all ! 

Before  you  left  town  I  was  agonizing  with  ex- 
cefs  of  defire  to  love  God  alone.  I  knew  the 
power  was  ready,  whenever  I  alked  for  it  in  faith. 
I  found  it  was  like  throwing  myfelf  into  a  rapid 
ftream,  where  I  muft  fwim  or  perifh.  The  Lord 
gave  me  faith,  and  a  fweet  fcrenity.  Satan  af- 
fauhs  ;  but  Jefus  keeps  the  citadel.  Yet  as  I  get 
ftrength,  my  inward  trials  are  flronger,  and 
{Ironger.     But  I  rejoice,  knowing   they  (hall  all 

work 


[49     J  -' 

work  together  for  good.  To  love  Jems  is  heaven 
upon  earth.  But  I  know  no  greater  pain,  next 
to  hearing  his  name  blafphemed,  than  to  be  de- 
barred from  declaring  his  mercy  wherever  I  am. 
O  what  a  day  will  that  be,  when  we  ftiall  fee  his 
face,  and  live  with  him  for  ever  ! 

Pray  that  I  may  be  fteady.  I  carry  much  fail, 
and  need  much  ballaft.  But  the  voyage  is  fliort. 
My  Pilot  commands  the  winds,  and  I  do  not  fear 
gaining  the  wifhed-for  port. 

I  remain  yours,  &c. 

M.  \Y. 

LETTER        XXL 


I 


[Erom  the  fame  ] 
Dear  Sir,  May  30,   1761 


Cannot  tell  how  often  I  have  been  prevented, 
when  I  have  intended  to  anfwer  your  encouraging 
Letter.     Indeed,  Sir,    I  muft  praife  the  Lord  Je- 
fus.     O  he  is  lovely,  and  is  more  precious  to  me 
every  day.     Glory  be  to  his  name,  he  fulfils  his 
promifes  to  my  happy  foul  every  hour  :  and  I  am 
in  pain,  when  I  am  not  fome  way  employed  to  his 
honour.     His  tender  care  of  me,  melts  me  down, 
till   I  lofe  myfelf  in  him.     And   when  I  think, 
how  near  the  time  is  come,  that  will   deliver  me 
to   my  Beloved,  my  foul  grows  too  big   for   my 
breaft,  and  I  almoft  faint  for  joy.     O  wiiat  a  call« 
ing  is  ours  !     To  live  with  Chrift  Jelus  my  Lord,  " 
and  that  for  ever  !     And  does  he   not  give  us  a 
foretafte  of  our  blifs  ?     Becaufe  my  bodily  ftrength 
was  little,  he  has  renewed  it.     Inftead  of  creeping 
out    of   bed  at   ten,   I   am    now   waked   by   my 
Spoufe,  and  rife  at  four,  and  all  my  family  meet 
F  before 


[  5°  ] 
before  five.  Prayer  is  fvveet.  I  would  not  accept 
the  empire  of  the  world,  to  keep  me  from  that 
food  of  immortal  fouls.  When  temptations  har^ 
rafs,  till  my  body  almoft  faints,  my  Lord  is  pre- 
fent  with  me.  And  gloiy  be  to  his  name,  I  can 
count  it  a  blefling,  when  1  am  the  moft  tried.  I 
know  it  comes  tlirough  him,  to  me  his  child, 
whom  he  eyes  with  earneft  tendernefs. 

My  fon  is  much  bldl.  He  cries  aloud  for  a 
clean  heart,  and  attends  the  ordinances  with  keen- 
nefs.  Harriot  is  a  proof  of  what  the  Lord  can  do 
in'  a  child.  Her  prayers  are  indeed  furprifing. 
Many  are  ftruck  at  her  confident  petitions  and 
boldnefs,  in  declaring  her  love  to  the  Lord.  My 
houle  is  a  heaven  uopn  earth.  Hallelujah  to  the 
Lord. 

I  am  yourSj  ^c. 

U.  W. 

LETTER.     XXII. 

[To  the  Rev.  J.  Welley.] 
Dear  Sir,  May  30,  1760. 


I 


Hope  your  love  will  pardon  my  feeming  neglect, 
in  not  anfweringyou  fooner.  I  was  much  affect- 
ed with  the  trial  you  mention  ;  but  it  is  difficult  to 
write,  unlcfs  I  knew  the  particulars.  And  even 
then  1  fhould  be  utterly  infufficient  for  the  tafk. 
But  this  I  know,  it  temptations  increafe,  God  will 
give  a  proportionable  increafe  of  itrength. 

You  are  fet  as  a  Mark  for  the  devil  and  his  chil- 
dren to  fhoot  at,  and  that  in  every  kind.  You 
may  exped    it.     And  who  would  not  be  willing, 

yea, 


[     SI     ] 

TC2,  more  than  willing,  to  bear  all  that  men  and 
devils  can  lay  upon  them,  to  have  fuch  fruit  olf 
their  miniftry,  as  God  is  pleafed  to  blefs  you  with  ? 
I  truft,  nothing  will  be  able  to  induce  you  to  flirink 
in  any  meafure  from  the  work  that  God  hath  fet 
before  you.  My  continual  prayer  to  God  is,  that 
you  may  be,  not  only  preferved,  but  blelTcd  and 
ftrengthened,    and  made   more  than   conqueror. 

0  that  fimpathy  of  fpirit !  O  that  bearing  one  ano- 
thers  burdens!  Who  can  conceive  it  but  they  that 
feel  it  ?  I  pray  God  ta  fulfil  in  me  the  prayer  and 
deiire  of  your  foul.  I  trufl  he  will  ftill  keep  me 
a  little  child,  and  yet  make  me  a  Father  in  Chrifl:. 

1  cannot  find,  upon  the  clofeft  examination,  any 
decay  in  my  love  to  God,  or  that  I  love  him  lefs 
at  one  time  than  another.  I  am  now,  and  alwayr, 
happy  in  God.  Love  him  Icfs!  No,  I  cannot. 
Every  repeated  inftance  of  his  goodnefs,  creates 
in  me  ftrong€r  returns  of  thankfulnefs  and  ado- 
ration, till  I  am  many  times  loft  in  wonder,  love 
and  praife.  , 

Timefeemsto  me  to  fly  exceeding  fwift.  I  fee,  we 
are  on  the  brink  of  eternity:  and  therefore  long 
to  make  the  very  beft  ufe  of  the  prefent  moment. 
I  find  fometimes  a  kind  of  heavinefs  through  temp- 
tations, but  no  fainting  in  my  mind.  Yet  I  have 
fometimes  found,  as  if  my  mind  would  have  cleav- 
ed too  much  to  thofe  that  excel  in  virtue.  But 
the  Lord,  by  fome  blefled  means  or  other,  pre- 
vents it;  fo  that  in  fome  fenfe,  I  ftand  alone,  as 
/hough  there  were  only  God  and  myfelf  in  the 
world. 

O  pray  for  me,  that  he  may  fulfil  in  rt»e  all 
the  good  pleafure  of  his  will,  and  make  me  juft 
what  he  would  have  me  to  be ! 

I  am,  dear  Sir, 
Your  affeiSlionate  and  loving  Sifter, 

RUTH  HALL, 
F  2  LET- 


I 


I       !1     I 

LETTER      XXIII. 

[To  the  fame.] 
Honoured  Sir,  May  14,  1757 


Dto  not  forget  you,  but  bear  you  ever  on  my 
heart  before  the  Lord.  I  often  find  communion 
with  you,  though  abfent  in  body.  O  the  length 
of  the  love  of  Chrift  !  it  reaches  through  earth's 
remoteft  bounds,  uniting  the  children  of  God  in 
one,  and  joining  earth  to  heaven.  I  find  no  de- 
fire  to  fpeak  any  thing  of  myfelf :  but  becaufe  I 
believe  it  my  duty,  therefore  I  do  it.  Yet  proper- 
ly, it  is  not  of  myfelf,  but  of  God  :  for  I  am  no- 
thing, God  is  all  in  all!  And  fuch  he  is  to  me: 
he  is  allmydefu-e,  all  my  hope,  joy,  love,  delight. 
Yea,  the  Three-One  God,  is  my  heaven  on  earth, 
and  will  be  fo  for  ever. 

The  entire  refignation  I  feel,  is  that  from  which 
my  greatefl:  happinefs  flows.  But  this  does  net 
at  all  hinder  my  enjoying  God,  firft  in  his  chil- 
dren, then  in  the  leaft  of  his  mercies.  The  con- 
ll:ant  aim  of  my  foul  is,  to  give  glory  to  God  in 
the  higheft,  and  to  eftablilh  peace  and  good-will 
among  men:  yet  am  I  fully  willing,  that  all  I  fay 
or  do  Ihould  be  fet  at  nought,  and  forgotten  by 
God  and  man. 

From  the  relation  I  fland  in  to  my  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, I  beft  conceive  the  relation  I  am  in  to  you : 
and  therefore  cannot  but  long,  that  you  may  in- 
creafe,  though  I  ihould  decreafe.  And  O!  per- 
mit me,  from  the  fulnefs  of  my  heart  to  fpeak: 
I  know  the  Lord  Jefus  loves  you,  and  that  you  are 
a  chofen  VelTel  unto  him,  feparated  to  plant  and 
eftablilh  his  Gofpel.  And  viewing  you  in  this . 
chara(Ster,  I  am  not  worthy  to  unlofe  the  latcbet 

of 


I  53  ] 
of  your  fhocs.  But  if  I  may  take  the  liberty  to 
fpeak,  as  to  a  Chriftian  Friend,  I  may  alk,  Do 
you  love  the  Lord  Jefus  more  than  any  perfon  or 
thing  ?  Do  you  find  more  happinefs  in  thinking 
or  fpeaking  of  him,  than  in  thinking  or  fpeaking 
of  any  creature?  Does  your  foul  dehght  in  him  ? 
This  is  what  my  foul  defires  for  you  :  and  I  pray, 
that  whatever  is  a  hindrance  to  it,  may  be  remov- 
ed ;  and  that  you  may  be  kept  refllefs,  -  till  the  full 
image  of  God  be  ftampt  upon  your  heart  \  I  fhall 
acknowledge  it  a  favour,  to  have  a  Line  from  you : 
I  delire  you  will  continue  to  inftrucft,  exhort,  re- 
prove, and  pray  for  your  affc<Slionate,  though  un- 
v/ortby  Daughter  in  Chrift, 

s.  c 

LETTER        II 

[From  the  fame.] 
Honoured  Sir,  June  i8,  1751 


M 


Y  foul  muft  ceafe  to  love  God,  before  I 
ceafe  to  pray  for  you.  There  are  heights  and 
depths  in  the  Lord  Jcfus,  tbiu  I  cannot  compre- 
hend. Neither  have  I  apprehended  that  for  which 
I  am  apprehended  of  Chrift  Jefas:  but  this  one 
thing  I  do ;  forgetting  the  things  behind,  I  reach 
forth  to  thofe  before,  and  am  ftill  determined, 
nothing  lefs  than  All  fhall  fatisfy  my  foul.  I  find 
my  love  rifes  higher,  and  links  deeper  into  him, 
in  whom  dwells  all  the  fulnefs  of  the  Godhead  bo- 
dily.   "O  I  long  to  be 

*'   Plunged  in  the  Godheid's  deepefl  fea, 
And  loft  in  his  immenfity  I" 

F  3  The 


[     54     ] 

The  Lord  has  lately  given  me  a  larger  manlfef- 
tationof  himfelf,  from  which  I  find  a  fuller  union 
with  him.  O  who  can  explain  the  myftery  ?  The 
more  I  have,  the  lefs  I  feem  to  have  :  the  ftrong- 
er  I  am,  the  more  deeply  fenfibleam  I  of  my  own 
weaknefs.  The  more  I  know  of  God,  the  more 
I  fee,  that  I  know  nothing  of  him  in  comparifon. 
Yet  does  my  foul  centre  in  him,  and  reft  in  him 
continually.  And  yet  I  cannot  reft ;  for  I  feem 
but  juft  beginning  to  be  a  Chriftian.  Let  not  me, 
who  have  juft  put  on  the  havnefs,  boaft  like  them 
who  are  putting  it  oft'. 

I  am  fully  employed  for  my  Lord ;  but  do  daily 
o-et  time  for  meditation  and  prayer.  I  am  more 
perfuaded  than  ever,  that  nothing  ftiall,  for  one 
moment,  hinder  the  Lord  Jefus  from  loving  me, 
or  my  foul  fi'om  loving  him,  in  time  or  eternity. 
I  am^  dear  Sir,  your  affectionate  Child, 

S.  C. 

LETTER     XXV. 

[To  the  fame.]  ^  • 

Honoured  Sir,  London,  Dec.  31,  1757. 


w> 


HAT  a  wonderful  depth  is  there  in  the  Pfo- 
vidence  of  God!  We  may  well  fay  with  the  Apof- 
tle.  How  unfearchable  are  his  judgments,  and 
his  ways  paft  finding  out!  But  wh.it  we  know  not 
now,  we,  fhall  know  hereafter.  And  this  we 
know  even  now,  All  things  ftiall  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God.  ^ 

I  am  not  infenfible  of  my  prefent  trials    It  is 
the  heavieft  and  clofeft  I  have  ever  met  with :  and 

had 


w^ 


[  55  ] 
had  not  the  eternal  God  been  my  reKigc,  I  fliculd 
have  funk  under  it  from  the  beginnmg.  But  he 
is  faithful,  and  as  my  day  is,  fo  he  makcth  my 
flrength  to  be.  I  have  no  room  to  complain.  1 
am  not  yet  "forfaken  of  all  men,  and  dying  in  a 
cottage."  Neither  am  I  as  they  who  wandered  in 
Iheep-fkins  and  goat-lkins,  and  lodged  in  dens  and 
caves  of  the  earth.  But  1  am  ready.  My  fpirit 
isrefolutely  fixt.  "  To  fuffer  all  his  righteous  will." 

I  know  nothmg  by  myfelf,  yet  am  I  not  here- 
by juftified  :  but  he  that  judgeth  me  is  the  Lord. 
Andfurely  he  hath  faid,  *'  I  have  created  in  thee 
a  clean  heart,  and  renewed  a  right  fpirit  within 
thee."  O  the  depth  of  Love  Divine !  I  can  fay 
no  more.     My  thought  is  too  big  for  utterance, 

I  have  no  deiire  to  give  up  my  friends,  but  blefs 
God  for  the  good  I  receive  through  them.  Yet 
if  God  himfelf  cuts  off  the  ftream,  he  will  lead  mc 
to  the  fountain.  Therefore  1  am  free  from  every 
creature  J  for  God  is  all-fufficient.  But  I  do  not 
believe  it  is  the  delign  of  God  to  feparate  us;  on- 
ly to  purge  away  the  drofs  of  nature,  that  there 
may  be  a  more  firm  and  fpiritual  union,  than  hath 
ever  been  yet. 

Indeed  I  grieve  and  joy  on  your  account.  I 
grieve  for  the  trial  you  have  had,  as  well  as  the 
many  others  which  you  muft  have.  May  the 
Lord  bear  you  above  them  all !  But  I  joy  in  this, 
that  I  believe  the  one  defire  of  your  foul  is,  to  be 
wholly  given  up  to  God.  And  I  pray  God,  that 
thofe  who  fpeak  evil  of  you  may  be  ajfhamed, 
while  they  behold  your  good  converfation  inChrii>, 
O  that  you  may  go  on,  through  evil  report  and 
good  reporc,  denying  yourfelf,  in  the  minuteft  cir- 
cumftance,  wherein  you  are  liable  to  get  hurt, 
and  continually  watching  the  morions  of  your  heart, 
till  all  that  is  in  you  is  «*Holinefs  to  the  Lord.' 

What^ 


[     56    ] 
Whatever   Is  amifs  in   this,  you   will  forgive  : 
and   continue    to   in{lru61:,  reprove,  and   pray   for 
)  our  ever  affe6tionate  Child, 

S.  C 

L     E     'i      T     E     R         XXVI. 

[Fjonj  Mrs.  S.  R.  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wefley.] 

Brirtol,  Feb.  i,   1758. 
Pvcv.  and  dear  Sir, 


I 


Am  thankful  if  my  Lord  continue  to  make  me 
a  bleffing  to  your  foul.  For  O  !  how  I  long  for 
you  to  be  holy,  in  fpirit,  foul,  and  body  !  Has 
God  fixt  a  refolution  in  your  foul,  to  grafp  the 
glorious  prize  ?  Do  not  you  depend  too  much 
upon  any  creature  ?  We  muft  not  fay,  "  Lord, 
work  by  this  or  that  perfon  or  thing.  Work  as 
thou  wilt,  and  how  thou  wilt  I  Only  finifh  thy 
work  in  my  foul.'*  O  dear  Sir,  It  is  a  good,  but 
painful  fight:  indeed  it  is  fighting  up  to  the  knees 
in  blood.  Nature  will  not  fubmit  to  die.  But 
away  with  it  ;  crucify  it;  crucify  it  I  "The  fins 
that  murdered  God  ihall  die." 

Dear  Sir,  ufe  much  private  Prayer,  and  much 
good  will  come  out  of  all  this.  Let  us  ftand  ftill, 
and  we  fhall  fee  the  great  falvation  of  God.  In 
the  mean  time,  having  our  eye  fingle,  our  inten- 
tion pure,  determined  to  be  en  the  Lord's  fide. 

O  how  good  is  God  to  my  foul !  I  do  not  need 
/in  to  humble  me.  Fcr  he  breaks  me  in  pieces 
with  his  ten  thoufand  bleflings.  I  find  a  life  that 
never  dies  ;  a  hidden  life  above.  Neither  pain 
nor  eafe,  fmiles  nor  frowns,  life  not  death,  can 
part  me  from  my  Love. 

I  am 


r  57  ] 

I  am  fometimes  tempted,  becaufe  I  do  not 
labour  more  with  my  hands.  But  O  !  the  third  I 
feel  for  fouls!  Iknow  not  but  the  Lord  lays  his 
hand  on  my  body  in  mercy,  or  I  fhould  have  little 
time  for  retirement :  for  I  could  be  fpeaking  and 
going  about  ail  the  day.  O  Sir,  let  U5  make  halle 
to  live  I 

The  Lord  grant  you  the  defire  of  your  foul  upon 
me  !  O  that  I  may  be  like  my  fpotlefs  Ma/ler  ! 
The  thought  makes  my  heart  leap  again.  This  is 
all  I  third  for,  and  fhcrt  of  this  I  will  not  live. 
Jefus  has  purchafcd  all  for  me.  Pray  help  me  by 
your  prayers. 

O  my  Father,  look  up  1-  The  chariots  and 
horfe-men  of  Ifrael !  O  for  faith  to  lay  hold  on 
all  the  promifes  !  Let  us  pray  more  than  ever, 
and  the  Lord  will  keep  us  from  every  fnare  of 
the  devil  ! 

I  am  your  affedionate  Child  and  Ssrvant, 

S.  R. 

^^^S^^^Jr /^"l  %•  'y  "~  %'  'y  *^^^*y  ^^  \^^^  *^  %^ 

LETTER        XXVIL 

[To  the  fame.] 

Dear  Sir,  May  14,   1763* 


I 


Have  wrote  nothing  more  concerning  Jenfiy 
Cooper,  Nor  has  fhe  wrote  any  thing  of  her  hil 
fix  months  experience,  except  what  may  be  found 
in  her  Letters.  I  have  often  wifaed  fhe  had  :  for 
during  that  time  fhe  ripened  apace.  She  was  fa- 
voured with  much  of  the  divine  prefence  ^  and 
obeyed  that  command,  "  Hear  ye  him.'*  She  attend- 
ed to  the  voice  of   her  Shepherd,  and  her  ccnver- 

fation 


[    s8    3 

fatlon  was  in  heaven.  She  Uved  as  one  recleenried 
from  the  earth,  and  of  all  the  chriftians  I  ever  con- 
verfed  with,  I  never  obfcrved  fuch  fervent  love  to 
a!l,  as  I  faw  in  her  :  and  in  the  acquaintance  I  had 
with  her,  particularly  the  lafl  fix  months,  I  never 
faw  any  thing  that  had  the  appearance  of  evil. 

It  is  a  mercy  that  we  are  enjoined  to  be  follow- 
ers of  thofe  who  through  faith  and  patience  in- 
herit the  promifes.  They  overcame  through 
the  ftrcngth  of  him  who  loved  them,  and  wafhed 
them  from  their  fins  in  his  own  blood.  And  the 
fame  Lord  who  is  rich  in  mercy  unto  all  that  call 
upon  him,  has  alfo  undertaken  our  caufe,  and  he 
who  has  delivered,  and  doth  deliver,  will  continue 
to  deliver  to  the  end. 

I  praife  the  Lord  I  feel  peace,  and  underfland 
more  fully  the  love  of  the  Father,  in  giving  his 
only-begotten  Son,  that  whoever  believeth  on  him 
may  not  perifh.  Jefus  has  truly  opened  a  new 
and  living  way  into  the  holiefl.  An  open  door  is 
fet  before  us  ;  we  may  enter  in  and  find  pafture. 
I  rejoice  in  that  word.  It  hath  pleafed  the  Father 
that  in  him  fhould  all  fulnefs  dwell,  and  from  his 
fulnefs  we  receive  grace  for  grace.  O  how  fweet 
a  life  is  the  life  of  faith,  which  teaches  us  to  de- 
pend on  Chriil:  alone  for  all  we  want :  which 
faves  the  foul  from  all  cenfidence  in  the  flefh, 
while  it  enriches  and  fills  it  with  love,  peace,  joy, 
Ibng-fuffering.  It  debafes,  empties,  and  finks  it 
into  nothing,  fo  that  all  boafling  is  excluded. 
There  is  hardly  any  thing  fo  blefl  to  me  as  reading 
the  word  of  God,  and  fometimes  I  think  I  never 
believed  the  Bible  till  within  thefe  lafl  nine  months  ; 
every  word  feems  fo  fpoken  to  my  heart ;  I  fo 
feel,  All  is  yours. 

May  the  Lord  abundantly  blefs  you,  and  fill 
you  with  all  his  life  and  love,  I  often  think  that  I 

do 


r  59  J 

do  not  enough  love  and  honour  you,  or   fee  the 
ufe  God  makes  of  you  in  his  vineyard. 

I   am,  dear  Sir,  yours,  &c. 

J.  C.  M. 

LETTER        XXVIII. 

[From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whitefield,  to  the  "Rev.  Mr. 
Wefley.l 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  25,  1764- 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 


Y 


OUR  kind   Letter,    dated    in   January    laft, 
through  the  negHgence  of  thofe  that  received  the 
parcel,  did    not   reach  me    till   within   thefe  few- 
days.     It  found  me  at  Philadelphia,  jud  returned 
from  my  Northern  Circuit  ;  and  waiting  only  for 
cooler  weather  to  fet  forwards  for  Georgia.     Per- 
haps that  may  be  ipy  Ne  plus  ultra.     But  the  Gof- 
pel  range  is  of  fuch  large  extent,  that  I  have,  as  it 
were,  fcarce  begun  to  begin.     Surely  nothing  but 
a  very  loud  call  of  Providence  could  make  me  fo 
much  as  think  of  returning  to  England  as  yet.     I 
have  been  mercifully  carried  through  the  fummer's 
heat ;   and,  had  ftrength  permitted,  I  might   have 
preached  to  thcufands  and   thoufands  thrice  every- 
day.    Zealous  Minifters  are   not   fo  rare  in  this 
New  World  as  in  other  parts.     Here  is   room  for 
a  hundred  Itinerants.     Lord   Jefus  fend  by  whom 
thou  wilt  fend.     Fain  would  I  end  my  life  in  ram- 
bling after   thofe  that   have  rambled  away  from 
Jefus  Chrift. 

For 


[     60     ] 

For  this  let  men  defplfe  my  name, 
I'd  fhun  no  crofs,  I'd  fear  no  fhame  : 
All  hail  reproach  ! 

I  am  perfuaded  you  are  like  minded.  I  vvifh  you 
and  all  your  dear  Fellow-labourers  much  profperi- 
ty.  O  to  be  kept  from  turning  to  the  right  band 
or  the  left  !  Methinks  for  many  years,  we  have 
heard  a  voice  behind  us  faying,  "  This  is  the  way, 
walk  in  it."  I  do  not  repent  being  a  poor,  de{- 
pifed,  cad  out,  and  now  almoft  worn-out  Itinerant. 
I  v/ould  do  it  again  if  I  had  my  choice.  Having 
loved  his  ov^rn,  the  altogether  lovely  Jefus,  loves 
them  to  the  end  ;  even  the  laft  glimmerings  of  an 
expiring  taper,  he  blefled  to  guide  feme  wandering 
fouls  to  himfelf.  At  New-England,  New- York, 
and  Pennfylvania,  the  word  hath  run  and  been  glo- 
rified. Scarce  one  dry  meeting  fince  my  arrival. 
All  this  is  of  grace.  In  various  places  there  hath 
been  a  very  great  ftirring  among  the  dry  bones.  If 
you,  and  all  yours  would  join  in  praying  over  a 
poor  worthlefs,  but  willing  Pilgrim,  it  would  be  a 
very  great  aft  of  charity,  he  being,  though  lefs 
than  the  leaft  of  all. 

Rev.  and  very  dear  Sir, 
Ever  yours,  &c.  &c.  in  Jefus, 

G.  WHITEFIELD. 

LETTER        XXIX. 


[From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wcfley,  to  Mrs.  S.  R.] 
My  dear  Sifter,  Dublin,  April  4,  1758. 


o 


That  I  could  beof  fome  ufe  to  you  !     Hong 
to  help  you  forward  in  your  way.      I  want  to  have 

your 


-  [     6:     ] 

ycur  unc!erftanding  a  mere  lamp  of  light,  always 
Ihining  with  light  from  above  !  I  want  you  to  be 
full  of  Divine  Knowledge  andWifdom,  as  Jordan 
in  the  time  of  harveft.  I  want  your  words  to  be 
full  of  grace,  poured  out  as  precious  ointment.  I 
want  your  every  work  to  bear  the  (lamp  of  God, 
to  be  a  facrifice  of  a  fvveet  fmelling  favour. 
Without  any  part  weak,,  earthly  or  human  :  all 
holy  ;  all  divine.  The  great  God,  your  Father 
and  your  Love,  bring  you  to  this  felf-fame  thing ! 
Begin,  Soldier  of  Chrift,  Child  of  God  I  Walk 
worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  thou  art  called  ! 
Remember  the  Faith  I  Remember  the  Captain 
of  thy  Salvation  !  Fight!  Conquer!  Die — and 
live  for  ever  ! 

I  am  yours;  Sec. 

J.  w. 

LETTER         XXX. 

[From  Mrs.  S.  R.  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Welley.] 

Briftol,  March  20,  1758. 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 


F, 


ROM  the  ground  of  my  heart,  I  thank  God 
and  you,  for  all  your  tender,  fatherly  care  of  my  foul 
anJbody.  Itakeit  asaninilanceof  the  love  of  God 
to  me  :  what  could  he  do  rhore  for  me  than  he 
has  done  ?  The  Lord  gran':  I  may  bring  forth 
much  fruit  to  his  glory  1 

The  things  which  formerly  would  have  made 
me  fly  from  him,  nov^r  make  me  cleave  to  him. 
At  prefent,  through  the  tender  mercy  of  my  God, 
I  find  my  foul  loofe  from  all  below  ;  and  the  con- 
ftant  cry  of  my  heart  is,  «  Fat'  t,  thy  will  be* 
G  done." 


[  C2  ] 
done."  I  often  examine,  Whether  my  Affedions 
do  not  ftart  afide,  to  any  perfon  or  thing  ?  But 
to  this  hour,  (the  Lord  be  praifed  !)  I  can  fay, 
to  no  Creature  do  I  give  the  Love  that  belongs  to 
Chriil.  As  that  was  my  befetting  fin,  I  well  un- 
derhand the  nature  of  it.  I  watch  the  leaft  occa- 
fion,  and  were  I  to  find  any  thing  like  \i,  I 
fhould  give  up  all  pretence  of  being  faved  from  fin. 
For  if  there  is  a  grain,  there  is  a  root.  And  then 
my  abode  could  not  be  long  here. 

I  can  anfvver  the  Queftions  you  put  to  me,  as 
before  the  throne  of  God.  By  his  power,  1  do 
know  how  to  fleer  between  extremes^  of  regard- 
ing you  too  little  or  too  much.  As  a  Minifler  of 
Chiirt,  and  my  Father  and  iMafter,  J  do  rever- 
ence and  love  you.  Yet  if  God  fhould  fay,  Do 
not  write  or  converfe  any  more  ;  if  he  fhould  fliew 
you  it  is  not  right  ;  I  am  this  moment  ready  to  do 
his  will :  it  is  my  meat  and  drink.  If  I  was  not 
thus  free  from  every  creature,  I  could  not  enjoy 
uninterrupted  communion  with  God.  I  hope  my 
will  is  brought  into  entire  rubje(ftion  to  Chrift.  I 
find  it  a  great  thing  to  be  his  Free-man :  to  be  en- 
tirely difengaged  -from  all  things  here  below. 
With  man  this  is  impoflible  :  but  with  God  all 
things  are  pofTible  :  feeing  he  has  all  power  in 
heaven  and  earth.  My  heart's  delire  and  prayer 
to  God  is,  that  I,  and  all  his  fervants,  may  keep 
ourfelves  from  idols.  A^ay  we  always  remember, 
that  while  we  are  here  below,  we  are  in  an  ene- 
my's country :  that  cur  adverfary  the  devil,  as  a 
roaring  lion  walketh  about,  feeking  whom  he  may 
devour.  If  we  keep  this  always  in  view,  and  look 
to  the  Lord  for  help,  we  fliall,  doubtlcfs,  be  mere 
than  conquerors  through  him  v/ho  hath  loved  us. 

When  I  thought  I  fliould  die,  I  longed  to  be 
gone.     But  v,'hen  I  fcnnd  I  fliould  hve,  I  was  rc- 


[  03  ] 
%ncd.  I  had  no  power  to  cliufe  any  thing;  but 
I  was  often  adiamed  before  God,  for  his  goodnefs 
to  me :  moft  of  the  time  I  was  much  tempted, 
which  fhewed  me  tRe  freenefs  of  his  mercy,  and 
my  own  unworthineis. 

O  how  do  I  thirtl:  for  more  hollnefs!  I  behevc 
we  fhall  need  all  the  grace  that  God  will  give,  if  he 
fend  his  iudgments  upon  the  land.  How  thank- 
ful am  I,"  that  I  am  free.  O  Eternity,-  Eternity ! 
What  is  any  thing  worth,  but  a  fmgle  and  a  pure 
heart :  which  may  God  give  you  and  me,  and  all 
that  feek  liim !  This  is  the  prayer  of, 
Yours,    &c. 

S.R. 

LETTER        XXXf. 
[From  Mrs.  E.  M.  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wefley.] 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  Potto,  Nov.  4, 1 769. 

X  Find  the  greateft  reafon  to  adore  my  dear  Re- 
deemer, for  his  love  towards  me,  who  gives  me 
the  fweet  experience  of  the  increafe  of  his  life  in 
my  foul.  I  find  the  Lord  always  before  me ;  yet 
by  different  operations  of  his  fpirit.  I  fee  an  infi- 
nite fulnefs  in  Jefus,  and  feel  my  heart  drawn  out 
with  a  ftrongdefirefor  greater  degrees  of  his  love. 
I  fee  myfelf  the  moft  unworthy,  weak,  and  igno- 
rant of  all  his  creatures.  My  path  is  exceeding 
narrow,  and  my  dangers  daily  great,  yet  the  Lord  is 
always  fufBcienr,  and  I  can  tvuft  him  at  all  times. 
At  other  times  I  find  my  fpirit  loft  in  his  fulnefs, 
and  fwallowed  up  in  the  ocean  of  his  love.  My 
G  2  foul 


foDl  Iks  in  the  duft  before  himj  while  Idefire  all  his 
creatures  to  praife  his  name.  After  fuch  ftrong 
confolations  I  often  find  myfelf  much  aflaulted 
with  men  and  devils.  In  which  moments  I  hear 
my  Saviour  whifper  to  mc,  "It  is  given  to  thee 
not  only  to  believe,  but  to  fuffer  for  my  fake."  •  I 
then  feel  fuch  a  patient  relignation  of  myfelf,  and 
all  things,  into  his  hand,  that  I  do  not  find  a 
wifh  in  my  heart,  but  what  I  can  facrifice  to  him, 
which  gives  me  conliant  happinefs,  and  a  power 
to  rejoice  in  all  things.  I  often  find  the  greateil 
danger  in  rry  mofi:  profperous  moments^  both  for 
body  and  foul*,  at  which  times  the  enemy  is  fure 
to  whifper,  now  take  thy  eafe;  but  I  lock  to 
Chrifl.  for  firength,  to  defpife,  and  fight,  and 
conquer  all  my  enemiies.  As  to  my  conduct:,  I 
defire  to  fhun  every  appearance  of  evil,  both  in 
word  and  work.  I  thank  the  Lord  who  fo  keeps 
jne,  that  I  know  nothing  by  mylelf ;  yet  by  this  I 
am  not  j."ftiBed :  for  I  look  to  be  daily  plunged 
Into  that  fountain  w  hich  is  opened  for  fin  and  un« 
ckannefs;  to  be  wafhed  from  all  my  pollution  I 
caft  myfelf  entirely  upon  him,  who  faves  me  for 
his  own  name's  fake,  and  truft  to  be  fwallowed  up 
in  his  fulnefs  every  moment,  for  I  know  no  end 
thereof. 

I  am,  Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  yours,  &c. 


E.  M. 


LETTER      XXXIf. 


[Found  in  the  Biudy  of  the  Rev.  Mr.   Jofeph 
Belcher,  late  of  New-England.] 

Dear  Brother, 


Y. 


O  U  R  S  1  receivecl,   and  thought   on   that 
queftion,  b*ing  Hotv  to  live  in  this  World  fo  as  to 

live 


[  6;  ] 
/he  in  Heaven  P  It  is  one  of  the  common  pleas  of 
my  heart,  which  I  have  often  occafion  to  ftudy^ 
and  therefore  takes  me  not  unprovided.  -  It  is 
hard  to  keep  the  hehn  up  again  ft  fo  many  cro^s 
winds  as  we  meet  withal,  upon  this  fea  of  fire  and 
glafs.  That  man  knows  not  his  own  heart  that 
finds  it  not  difKcult  to  break  through  the  entangle- 
ments of  the  world.  Creature- fmiles  ftop  and  en- 
tice away  the  afFeclions  from  Jefus  Chrift;  crea- 
ture-frowns  encompafs  and  ^empeftuate  the  fpirir, 
that  it  thinks  it  doth  well  to  be  angry.  Both  ways 
grace  is  a  lofer.  We  had  all  need  to  watch  and 
pray,  left  we  enter  into  temptation-  The  greateft 
of  your  ccnfliifls  and  caufes  of  complaints,  feem 
to  have  their  original  here.  Temptations  follow 
tempers.  As  there  are  two  predominant  quali- 
ties in  the  temper  of  every  body,  fo  there  are  two 
predominant  fins  in   the  temper  of  every  heart. 

Pride  is  one  in  all  men  in  the  world T  will  tell 

you,  familiarly,  what  God  hath  done  for  my  foul, 
and  in  what  trade  my  foul  keeps  towards  himfelf. 
I  am  come  to  a  conclufion  to  look  after  no  great 
matters  in  the  world  but  to  know  Cbrift  and  him 
crucified.  I  make  beft  way  in  a  low  gale :  a  high 
fpirit  and  a  high  fiiil  together  will  be  dangerous, 
and  therefore  1  prepare  to  live  low.  1  defire  not 
much:  I  pray  againll:  it.  My  ftudy  is  my  calling, 
fo  much  as  to  tend  that  without  diftradion,  I  am 
bound  to  plead  for,  and  more  I  defire  not.  By 
mv  fecluded  retirements,  I  have  the  advantage  to 
obferve,  how  every ^ay's  occafions  infenfibly  wear 
off  the  heart  from  God,  and  bury  it  in  itfelf, 
which  they  who  live  in  care  and  lumber  cannot 
be  fenfible  of.  I  have  feemed  to  fee  a  need  of  e- 
very  thing  God  gives  m.e,  and  to  want  nothing 
that  he  denies  me.  There  is  no  difpenfation, 
thougk  afHi(5\ive,  but  either  in  it  or  after  it,  I 
G  3  find, 


[     <J<5    ] 

find,  I  could  not  be  without  it,  whether  it  be  ta- 
ken from  me  or  not  given  to  me ;  fooner  or  later 
God  quiets  me  in  himfelf  without  it.  I  caft  all 
my  concerns  on  the  Lord,  and  live  fecurely  on  the 
care  and  vvifdom  of  my  heavenly  Father.  My 
ways,  you  know,  are  in  fome  {enCc  hedged  up 
with  thorns,  and  grow  darker  and  darker  daily: 
but  yet  I  diftruft  not  my  good  God  in  the  leafi, 
and  live  more  quietly  in  the  abfence  of  all  by  faith, 
than  I  fliould  do,  I  am  perfuaded,  if  I  poiTeiTed 
them.  I  think  the  Lord  deals  kindly  with  me,  to 
irjake.me  believe  for  all  my  mercies,  before  I  have 
them,  that  they  will  then  be  Ifaacs,  fons  of  laugh- 
ter:  the  lefs  reafon  hath  to  work  upon,  the  more 
freely  faith  cafls  itfelf  on  the  faithfulnefs  of  God. 
I  find  that  while  faith  is  fteady  nothing  can  difqui- 
et  me,  and  when  faith  totters  nothing  can  eiirablifh 
me.  If  I  ftumble  out  amongft  means  and  crea- 
tures,  I  am  prefently  loft,  and  can  come  to  no 
end :  but  if  I  flay  myfelf  on  God,  and  leave  him 
to  work  in  his  own  way  and  time,  I  am  at  reft, 
and  can  fit  down  and  fleep  in  a  promife  when  a 
thoufand  rife  up  againft  m.e ;  chei  efore  my  way  is, 
not  to  caft  beforehand,  but  to  work  with  God, 
by  the  day :  *  Sufficient  to  the  day  is  the  evil  there- 
of.'  I  ..find  fo  much  to  do  continually  with  my 
calling  and  my  heart,  that  I  have  no  time  to  puz- 
zle myfelf  with  peradventures  and  futurities :  as 
for  the  ftate  of  the  times,  it  is  very  gloomy  and 
tempeftuous.  '  But  why  do  the  heathen  rage  .'*' 
Faith  lies  at  anchor  in  the  midft  of  the  waves,  and 
believes  the  accomplifhrn^nt  of  the  promife, 
through  all  thefe  overturnings,  confufions,  and 
feeming  impoffibilities.  Upon  this  God  do  I  live 
who  is  our  God  forever,  and  will  guide  us  to  tie 
death.  Methinks  I  liebec«'ii  ed  in  his  bofom,  as 
Luther  in  fuch  a  cafe,  I  am.  not  much  concerned, 

let 


[   6^   1 

let  Chrift  fee  to  It.  I  know  prophecies  arc  now 
dark,  and  the  books  are  fealed,  and  men  have 
been  deceived,  and  every  ciilern  fails,  yet  God 
doth  continue  faithful,  and  faithful  is  he  that  hath 
promifed  who  will  do  it,  I  believe  thefe  dark  times 
are  the  womb  of  a  bright  morning.     Many  more 

things  I  might  have  faid,    but  enough. Oh  ! 

Brother,  keep  dole  to  God,  and  then  you  need 
fear  nothing,  Maintain  fecret  and  intimate  com- 
munion with  God,  and  then  a  little  of  the  creature 
wil!  go  a  great  way.  Take  time  for  duties  in  pri- 
vate, croud  not  religion  into  a  corner  of  the  day : 
There  is  a  Dutch  proverb,  '  Nothing  is  got  by  tliie- 
ving  nor  loft  by  praying.*  Lay  up  all  your  good 
in  God  fo  as  to  overbalance  the  fweetnefs  and  bit- 
ternefs  of  all  creatures.  Spend  no  time  anxi- 
oufly  in  forehand  contrivances  for  this  world  ; 
they  never  fucceed:  God  will  run  his  difpenfati- 
ons  another  way.  Self-contrivances  are  the  ef- 
fects of  unbelief.  I  can  fpeak  by  experience, 
would  men  fpend  thofe  hours  they  run  out  in  plots 
and  devices  in  communion  with  God,  and  leave 
all  to  him,  bv  veniurefome  believing,  they  would 
have  more  peace  and  comfort.  I  leave  you  with 
your  God  and  mine.  The  Lord  Jefus  be  with 
your  fpirit.  Pray  for  your  own  foul,  pray  for 
Jerufalem,  and  pray  hard  for  your  poor  brother. 

LETTER         XXXIIL 

My  dear  Friend, 


Y. 


OU  afk   me  what  I  "think  are  the  genuine 
'*  properties  of  an  humble  man."     The  queftion  is 
very  important ;  it  deferves  a  ferious  conjQderation, 
ind  a  full  anfwer.     You  know  I  have  not  the  ad- 
vantages 


[    68     ] 

vantages  of  age,  and  long  experience,  yet  ncver- 
thelefs  I  will  tell  my  friend  freely  what  I  think  arc 
the  marks  and  properties  of  one  who  is  humble  : 
and  though  I  will  not  fay  but  humility  may  difco- 
ver  itfelf  in  other  ways,  yet  I  will  venture  to  af- 
firm wherever  the  following  properties  are  found 
in  any  one;  he  is  an  humble  man. 

He  forgets  not  his  former  finfulnefs,  and  out- 
ward meannefs  under  the  highefl  fpiritual  difco- 
veries,  or  the  greatell:  advancement  in  fortune  and 
worldly  circumftances. 

He  overlooks  his  own  righteoufnefs,  and  de- 
pends intirely  upon  that  which  is  of  God,  by 
faith. 

The  loweft  and  meaneft  good  work,  is  not  be- 
low him. 

He  is  forward  to  lubmit  to  every  truth  God  hai 
revealed,  even  thofe  which  flefh  and  blood  arc 
moft  averfe  unto. 

He  lives  neither  from,  nor  unto  himfelf,  but 
unto  and  from  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift. 

He  highly  prizes  the  leaft  favour  from,  God, 
deeming  himfelf  lefs  than  the  Icaft  of  all  his  mer- 
cies. 

He  never  thinks  himfelf  good  enough. 

He  fmites  and  chides  himfelf  for  fmall  faults,  as 
for  great  ones.  He  quietly  bears  burdens,  and 
takes  affronts  without  a  noife. 

He  labours  more  to  glorify  God  in  afHidions, 
than  to  get  out  of  them. 

He  feeks  not  after  great  things.  He  fays  a  little 
will  fatisfy  nature,  lefs  will  fatisfy  grace. 

He  rejoices  in  the  graces,  and  fuccefs  of  others, 
as  well  as  his  own. 

He  will  rather  bear  an  hundred  wrongs,  than 
revenge  one. 

Tho'  he  may  be  of  the  very  beft  abilities,  he 

will 


r  ^9  ] 

will  not  dirdain  to  be  taught  by  the  meaned  per- 
fpns. 

,  He  deems  himfelf  to  have  no  wifdom  to  dire£l, 
or  power  to  defend  himfelf,  without  the  light  and 
power  of  grace. 

He  prefers  every  one,  (that  in  truth  he  can) 
unto  himfelf;  thinking  fiber ly  of  himfelj  as  God 
has  dealt  unto  him  the  meafure  of  faith. 

Thefe  are  fome  of  the  properties  of  an  humble- 
man.  And  my  dear  friend,  who  can  forbear  ad- 
miring tile  amiable  character!  who  can  avoid, 
wilhing  himfelf  the  happy  owner  of  thefe  blelTed 
qualifications?  Here  give  your  heart  full  vent! 
Let  all  your  foul  deiire  this  precious  mother  Grace. 
May  the  good  Lord  give  you  an  abundant  mea- 
fure thereof;  then  will  your  holinefs  and  happi- 
nefs  alfo,  be  fuch  as  is  wiHied,  and  heartily  prayed 
for,  by 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  affectionate  Brother,  and  humble  Servant. 

LETTER         XXXIV. 

June,  24th,   17^6. 

X  Hope  my  dear  Sifter  is  preffing  forward,  ftill 
going  on  to  perfection.  The  crown  of  eternal 
life  is  jufl  before  you.  Jefus  faith,  be  thou  faithful 
unto  death y  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crovcn  of  Itfe . 
Compared  with  this,  what  are  all  the  toys  of  this 
life?  What  are  the  riches,  gain  or  honours?  yea 
what  is  life  itfelf?  Account  it  dung,  for  foit  is, 
compared  with  Chrift.  O  v/ho  would  not  love 
fuch  a  Saviour  !  "  Jefus  all  the  day  long  is  my  joy 
and  my  fong."    My  life  is  hid  with  Chrift  in  God : 

And 


[  T^  J 
And  when  Chriil  who  is  my  life  fhall  appear,  r^tn 
Ihall  I  alfo  appear  with  him  in  glory  !  I  cannot 
exprefs  how  weak,  helplefs,  and  unworthy,  I  feel 
myfelf ;  yet  Jefus  careth  for  me,  and  helpeth  me 
to  caft  all  my  care  on  him.  His  love  is  better 
than  wine !  O  that  he  may  fill  your  foul  therewith ! 
my  dear,  contend  not  about  a  name,  but  pray  that 
your  foul  may  be  filled  with  the  fimple,  humble 
love  of  Jelus. 

Itruftdear  *  *  *  *  is  growing  in  grace  likewrife, 
may  the  Lord  make  her  fimple  and  humble,  and 
fill  her  with  all  the  mind  that  is  in  Chrift.  Ad- 
vife  her  to  retire  with  Jefus,  from  the  multitude: 
for  he  is  the  bridegroom  of  the  foul,  and  the  chief- 
eft  among  ten  thoufend  :  that  he  would  ever  look 
on  us,  may  give  occafion  to  our  crying  out.  Why 
me.  Why  me  ?  O  amazing  depth  of  Love  divine  ! 

Loft  in  wonder  gaze  no  more. 
Fall  and  filentiy  adore  ! 
Peace  be  with  your  fpirit. 

I  am  your  affeflionate, Sifter^ 

LETTER        XXXV. 


o- 


My  dear  Sifter, 


'N  Tuefday  laft  I  received  yours,  and  do  great- 
ly rejoice  that  you  defire  to  partake  of  that  holi- 
nefs,  without  which  you  cannot  lee  the  Lord  with 
comfort.  O  that  you  may  ever  account  all  things 
but  dung,  that  you  may  thus  win  Chrift !  Hold 
faft  the  beginning  of  your  confidence  ftedfaftunto 
the  end  j  forgetting  the  things  behind,  reach  forth 
to  thofe  before,  it  hath  never  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man  to  conceive,  the  things  God  hath 

pl'C- 


[  7«  ] 
pared  for  therr,  that  love  him.  But  thus  much 
you  can  conceive,  that  they  are  far,  incompara- 
bly far  fuperior  to  all  earthly  bleffings.  O  that 
your  heart  and  mine  may  be  abundantly  more  fen- 
iible  ot  their  worth  I 

I  find  daily  need  to  pray  unto  the  Lord,  to 
give  me  a  deeper  fenfe  of  the  greatnefs  of  his 
mercies  towards  me,  and  of  my  utter  unworthi- 
nefs  of  the  leaft  of  them.  Accordingly  1  find  my 
blefled  Lord  Jefus,  doth  anfwer  my  prayers.  I 
know  not  how  to  declare  hisgoodnefs  !  Let  fJence 
fpeak  his  praife  I  Meet  me  my  dear  love,  at  the 
throne  of  grace  at  ten  in  the  forenoon,  our  Jefus 
Avill  certainly  meet  us  both,  and  all  our  friends 
who  will  join  with  us.  I  fhall  be  glad  to.  fee  you 
all,  when  Providence  makes  my  way  plain. 
I  am  your  affectionate  Sifter, 

L    E    T    T    E    Pt         XXXVL 

My  dear,  Nov.  22d.  1758. 

A  RAISE  God  for  what  he  hath  already  done : 
let  thofe  give  thanks,  whom  the  Lord  hath  re- 
deemed, and  delivered,  from  the  hand  of  the  ene- 
my :  but  you  know  a  greater  deliverance  is  at  hand. 
What  have  you  to  do,  but  to  fight  your  way  through 
againfi:  the  world,  the  iicili,  and  the  devil  ?  It  is  a 
.good,  though  painful  fight.  Lhilefs  you  yield, 
you  cannot  but  conquer.  It  is  true,  you  will  firft 
conquer  by  little  and  little  :  for  "  more  of  his  life 
and  more  you  have,  as  the  old  Adam  dies.'* 
But  there  is  alfo  an  inftantaneous  conqueft :  In  a 
moment  fin  Ihali  be  no  more.  You  aro  gradually 
dying  for  a  long  tirnc  :  but  you  will  die  in  a  mo- 
ment. 


nicnt.     O  haften  to  that  happy  time  !  Pray  flrivc 
and  hope  for  it. 

I  am  your  affedlionate  Brother/  ^c. 
LETTER         XXXVI. 


I 


My  very  dear  Friend,  Dec.   1^,1761, 


Am  by  the  kind  and  indulgent  Providence  of 
God,  got  fafe  from  the  *  *  *  *  .  And  at  my  re- 
turn, to  heighten  my  joy,  I  met  with  your  kind 
and  chriftian  epiftle.  1  heartily  thank  you  for  the 
tindeferved  favour  of  making  me  welcome  to  your 
houfe,  and  attendance  :  but  my  dear  Friend,  hew 
will  my  place  be  filled  up  and  Lack  of  fervices  fup- 
plied  ?  There  is  a  very  large  harveft  and  but  few 
labourers  :  and  belidesbad  as  I  am,  I  am  not  quite 
bad  enough  yet  to  be  laid  up  in  the  harbour.  I 
muft  take  feveral  voyages  to  fea,  and  endure  ma- 
ny a  ftorm  yet,  aijd  when  I  am  quite  unfit  for  the 
ocean,  I  hope  God  will  provide  f\  r  me  fome  fuch 
Jiavea  as  you  kindly  offer,  until  he  takes  me  up 
to  the  place  of  everlafting  reft.  Mean  time  I  am 
unfeignedly  defirous,  and  do  often  fervently  pray, 
that  i  may  be  guided  by  an  unerring  Pilot,  that  t 
may  neither  dafli  agalnft  the  Pvocks,  nor  founder 
on  the  Sands,  but  (though  fliatterecL  and  weather 
beaten,  and  ladly  impaired  in  my  rigging)  be  full 
fraught  v.'ith  all  the  treafures  of  Heaven,  that  facli 
a  crazy  vefTel  can  hold,  when  1  creep  into  the 
creek  of  privacy,  to  converfe  with  htm  'vohom-  wy 
foul  loveth  the  refidue  of  my  ufelefs  days.       .; 

If  you  find  that  thinking  on  fo  worthlefs,  find 
infigniiicant  a  creature,  raifcs  your  rr.ind  to  Jefus 
Chrift,  cr  tf  \ou  wreftle  with  God  for  me,  your 


[    7.^    .1 

thoughts  will  anfwer  very  valuable  purpofes; 
otherwife,  if  you  faw  all  the  weaknefles  and  folly 
which  attend  me,  in  the  fame  dilagreeablc  light  I 
fee  them  myfelf,  you  would  never  think  of  me, 
without  pity  and  commiferation. 

I  have  had  a  very  evident  proof  lately,  that  the 
Lord  Jehovah  reigneth,  and  doth  what  ever  feem- 
eth  good  in  his  fight :  one  would  have  thought 
that  the  doflrine  which  we  preach  would  have  met 
with  a  very  cold  reception  in  the  place  where  I 
have  been,  and  of  confequence  the  Preacher  of  it 
the  fame,  but,  contrary  to  human  probability 
quite  the  reverfe  has  happened  unto  us  both. 
The  dodrine  diftilled  as  the  dew,  and  funk  into 
many  hearts;  while  many  are  enquiring  ixj/iatfiall 
njje  do  to  be  favedp  fome  are  faying  what  (hall  we 
do  to  be  more  abundantly  holy  ?  BlefTed  enquiries ! 
furely  the  Lord  will  fave,  viz.  juftify  the  penitents, 
and  give  more,  yea,  fill  them  with  righteoufnefs, 
who  liunger  and  thirjl  for  it. 

My  own  foul  has  often  been  watered  from  the 
inexhauftible  ^juntain :  but  along  with  thefe  hap- 
py times  of  refrelhment  from  the  Lord's  prefence, 
I  have  had  many  fevere  trials,  and  a-ffauks-^from 
the  enemy  of  my  own  foulj  but  I  believe  that  all 
his  malice  ihall  devolve  upon  himfelf,  and  on- 
ly make  me  more  cautious,  and  awaken  in  my 
heart  a  more  implacable  refentmeat,  and  lading"- 
indignation  to  him,  and  all  his  wicked  ways.  Let 
me  have  an  intereftin  your  neareft  approaches  to 
your  Redeemer,  and  I  hope  I  ihall  not  fin  againfr. 
God  in  forgetting  to  pray  for  you:  while  I  re- 
main, Your  ever  aifedioi: ate  Brother 

find  inviolable  Friend. 


\x  T      r 


I 


[     74     ] 

LETTER         XXXVII. 

My  dear  Friend,  June  23d,  1 760. 


Was  juft  ready  to  think  you  had  flighted  mc 
in  not  anfwering  mine,  when  your  acceptable  e- 
piftle  came  to  hand,  and  happily  prevented  fuch 
a  furmife. 

It  gives  me  great  pleafure  to  hear  from  my 
friends,  whom  I  love:  but  the  accounts  you  gave 
of  yourfelf,  gave  me  more  than  ordinary  fatisfac- 
tion.  When  you  can  leave  all  unto  the  Lord's  dif- 
pofal,  doing  your  duty,  you  are  certainly  fafe  and 
happy.  Refignation  to  the  will  of  God  is  a  blef- 
fed  grace.  The  fure  way  to  hell,  is  to  follow  our 
own  will ;  but  the  fure  way  to  Heaven,  is  to  fol- 
low the  will  of  God  in  all  things.  Our  dear  Re- 
deemer fays  unto  all  his  followers,  learn  of  me  J  or 
I  am  meek,  and  lo'vuly  in  heart,  i  ^  d  ye  Jh all  find 
refi  to  your  fouls.  But  we  cannot  learn  this  excel- 
lent leflon  without  making  his  \Vill  our  law  at  all 
times.  We  fliould  labour  daily  to  die  more  and 
more  to  fenfe,  and  all  feniible  objects  and  enjoy- 
ments, retiring  more  into  ourfelves  into  the  centre 
of  our  fouls,  and  there  worfhip  God  who  dwelleth 
in  us,  in  fpirit  and  truth.  I  know,  my  dear, 
you  cannot  have  much  outward  folitude,  and 
therefore  you  have  more  need  of  inward  retire- 
ment, and  recolleiTtion,  that  the  hurry  of  bulinefs 
and  company  may  not  hinder  your  inward  pray- 
er, and  mental  worfhip  of  God.  While  your  ex- 
ternal fenfes  are  attentive  tinto,  and  employed 
about  the  affairs  of  your  ftation,  let  your  foul  at- 
tend to  an  indwelling  God,  and  always  hear  hirn 

fneak 


[  75  1 
i  peak  unto  you.  llien  it  will  participate  more  nnd 
more  of  the  divine  nature,  and  feel  the  moft  len- 
fible  enjoyment  of  the  divine  prefence  :  And  as 
this  will  be  extremly  delightful,  fo  it  will  be  mo- 
rally perfedling  above  any  thing  elfe. 

The  laft  week  but  one,  the  Lord  gave  me  op- 
portunity to  learn  obedience  by  the  things  which  I 
luffcred  ;  the  laft,  he  gave  more  health,  and  much 
of  his  loving,  fweet,  and  powerful  prefence.^ 
Thefe  are  the  two  ways  he  hath  of  purifying  fouls 
to  himfelf ;  by  the  fire  of  affliction,  and  inward 
burning,  and  by  the  fire  of  divine  love.  The  lat- 
ter is  more  pleafant,  but  the  former  is  more  like 
the  way  m  which  he  led  his  beloved  Son :  But  it 
is  not  for  us  to  chufe,  let  the  Lord  lead  us  in 
which  way  he  wlUeth. 

My  dear  Friend,  aim  at  all  that  height  of  holl- 
nefs  which  Chrift  hath  purchafed  for,  and  proniif- 
ed  to  beftow  upon  you.  The  dear  Lord  will  blefs 
you,  if  you  ufe  that  grace  you  have  already  receiv- 
ed. I  hope  to  keep  you  company  in  the  heaven- 
ly journey.  I  am  refolved  through  the  grace  of 
God  that  noihing  fliall  hinder  me.  I  long  for  all 
the  fulnefs  of  God. 

**  Oh !  what  is  virtue,  why  had  I, 
"  Who  am  low,  a  tafte  fo  high  ? 

Sure  that  God  which  has  infpired  this  defire,will 
alfo  fulfil  it,  in  my  poor  heart,  and  in  my  friend's. 
When  you  are  favoured  with  free  accefs  to  the 
King  of  King's,  think  of,  and  fpeak  for  him, 
who  is  unalterably, 

your  faithful  Friend,  and  humble  Servant. 


Ha  LET- 


I  76  1 

LETTER       XXXVIir. 

'   My  dear  Friend,  April  19,  1760. 


I 


Have  often  thought  of  you  iince  I  left  you, 
and  it  may  be,  you  have  not  always  forgot  your 
unworthy  Friend:  Though  I  do  not  deferve  to  be 
thought  of,  nor  mentioned,  I  rather  indeed  de- 
iire, 

"  To  be  little,  and  unknown, 

'*  Lov'd  and  priz'd  by  God  alone." 

I  always  conlider  myfelf,  either  kneeling  before 
my  Saviour  as  a  fubje^l  before  his  prince,  or 
ftanding  in  his  prefence,  as  a  fervant  before  his 
mafter,  that  I  may  hear  what  my  King  will  grant 
of  his  princely  beneficence,  or  what  he  will  com- 
mand as  a  mailer.  His  gifts  arc  many,  and  great, 
and  his  commands  are  dearer  to  me  than  thou- 
fands  of  gold  and  rdver.  Sometimes  I  feel  all  my 
foul  carried  up  unto,  and  fixed  in  God,  as  in  its 
proper  centre  and  place  of  reft,  without  much 
care  or  eftbrt  of  my  own,  then  all  earthly  things 
difappear,  and  all  their  relifh,  while  all  my  heart 
is  filled  with  love,  and  tears  of  joy  ftreams  down 
my  face.  Then  nothing  is  diiagreeable  but  the 
thoughts  of  returning  again  into  this  world.  Oh  ! 
who  can  explain  the  blefTednefs  of  thefe  moments 
Dt  abftracSlion  !  it  is  the  beginning  of  celeftial  hap- 
pinefs,  an  anticipation  of  that  exceeding  and  eter- 
nal weight  of  glory  referved  in  heaven  for  thofe- 
who  Icve  the  appearing  of  Chrift.  At  other  times 
I  come  down  a  little  from  this  fupreme  height  of 

joy  - 


C     77     ] 
joy  and  there  Teems  comparatively  fome  diflance 
between  my  beloved  and  my  foul,  then   it    fpends 
itfelf  in   ftrong  defire,  and  never  ceafeth  pleading, 
till  I  lean  again  on  ni}   Redeerder's  breaft. 

Iconrtantly  defirc  to  do  and  fuffcr  fomething  for 
my  Lord  ;  but  alas  !  I  a.ri  nc-r  able,  without  his 
help,  to  bear  one  crofs.  withi'tar-  f  one  temptation, 
nor  do  one  good  work,  fo  that  he  muft  gi^e  what 
he  commands,  and  then  I  fay  "  Command  what 
thou  wilt  and  it  fhall  be  done." 

I  imagine  my  friend  to  be  growing  in  grace,  and 
in  the  knowledge  of  God  daily,  I  hope  I  have  not 
thought  amifs.  Tell  me,  my  dear***  When  f.ivj 
ypu  him  -vuhom  my  foul  Joveth  P  Do  you  go  forth  and 
grou  up  as  a  calf  of  the  fi all?  Is  there  more  me- 
lody in  your  foal,  from  the  fweet  Turtle's  voice 
that  entertains  your  ears  in  the  neighbouring 
groves,  than  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  burgh  ? 
I  conceive  you  anfwer,  yes.  But  this  is  an  un- 
fatisfa<5tory  conjefiture  :  put  me  out  of  fufpenfe, 
as  foon  as  you  receive  this,  and  be  affured  I  am. 

Your  afFedionate  Brother,  &c. 
LETTER        XXXIX. 


I 


My  very  dear  Friend,  May  12, 1 760. 


Received  your  kind,  and  Chrifllan  Letter  from 
the  hand  of  my  good  Friend  ***.  It  gave  me  joy 
to  hear  from  you,  and  more  efpecialiy  fo,  in  that 
it  brought  me  intelligence  of  your  fpiritual  profperi- 
ty,  which  anfwers  my  defires  and  prayers.  As  I 
have  made  mention  of  you  in  my  fupplications  to 
God,  fo  I  fhall  now  have  more  abundant  occafion 
to  thank  him  on  your  account. 

H  z  A3 


[    78    ] 

As  you  obferve  it  is  an  infeparable  property  of 
^race,  always  to  excite  our  thirft  for  more.  When 
our  Lord  faid,  "  He  that  drinkeih  of  the  water 
which  I  fliall  give,  fhall  thirft  no  more,"  He  meant 
he  iiiali  not  any  more  inordinately  defire  the 
perifhable  things  of  time  and  fenfe.  But  whofo- 
ever  drinketh  of  that  blefled  life-giving  water, 
fliall  ever  fay, 

"  Infatiate  to  the  fpring  I  fly, 
I  drink,  and  yet  am  ever  dry  : 
Ah  !    who  againfl  fuch  charms  is  proof. 
Ah  !  who  that  loves,    can  love  enough  !" 

Accordingly,  they  who  have  the  largeft  and 
ftilleft  communications  of  his  divine  goodnefs,  and 
blefled  prefence,  fee,  and  feel  mod  of  their  own 
littlenefs,  helpleflnefs,  and  unworthinefs,  and  fo 
do  ever  cry, 

''  I  loath  myfelf  when  God  I  fee, 
And  into  nothing  fall  ; 
Content  if  thou  exalted  be, 
.  And  Chrift  is  all  in  all." 

I  believe  you  have  now  learnt  the  happy  art  of 
devoting  all  you  do  to  God,  by  a  pure  and  fmgle 
intention  :  and  therefore  continue  in  the  fervice 
and  worfhip  of  your  Saviour,  even  when  you  are 
difcharging  the  duties  of  your  ftation,  as  when 
you  are  more  immediately  employed  in  devotional 
exercifes.  Yet  neverthelefs,  get  every  moment 
you  poffibly  can  from  your  bufincfs  to  fpend  in 
private  ;  for  this  is  for  ingaL'tering,  the  other  for 
expending.  Privacy  is  for  exercifing  more  imme- 
diately the  graces  of  prayer,  love  and  thankfulnefs, 
aad  enjoying  the  clofeft  communion  with  the  dear 

object 


[     79.   3 

obje6t:  of  your  affe6l:ions  j  and  the  incumbrance  of 
bufinefs,  for  employing  faith,  patience,  watchful- 
nefs,  felf-denial,  and  refignation,  which  are  as 
neceflary  in  their  place,  and  altogether  as  accept- 
able to  God  as  the  other.  In  both  let  this  be  your 
motto,  Whatever  thy  hand  fitideth  to  do^  do  it  with 
all  thy  mights 

Your  not  having  at  all  times  the  fame  degree  of 
joy,  may  be  accounted  for,  from  the  alternate  ex- 
ercife  of  the  graces  above.  It  is  doubtlefs  more 
joyous  to  commune  with  God  in  fecret  than  to  be 
more  immediately  employed  in  watchfulnefs,  and 
felf-cknial  among  a  multitude.  But  it  is  an  un- 
fpeakable  blefling,  and  comfort,  that  in  both  cir- 
cumflances,  God  ftands  in  one  relation  unto  you, 
even  that  fweet  and  endearing  one  of  a  father. 

I  thank  Gad  I  am  yet  in  the  number  of  the 
living,  -whofe  names  are  written  in  Jerufalem,  and 
my  life  is  hid  with  Chrift  in  God.  I  hav^  had  a 
tolerable  ftate  of  health  ;  how  the  report  of  my 
death  was  fpread,  I  cannot  tell  :  but  had  it  been 
true,  it  would  have  been  my  unfpeakable  gain  ; 
and  it  will,  (Oh  I  blefled  profpe<5t)  be  true  e'er 
long  1  Lord  hallen  the  defirable  period  !  Mean 
time  let  us  in  patience  poflefs  our  fouls ;  and  live 
by  the  day,  the  hour,  yea  the  moment  with  God, 
not  knowing  what  may  be  on  th'fe  morrow  :  always 
{landing  prepared  for  that  laft  and  beft  fcene  of 
human  life.  When  our  fpirits  fhall  ftand  upon 
our  quivering  lips,  ready  to  launch  out  into  an 
untried  eternity.  May  they  publifh  as  they  fly, 
the  blood  of  Chrifl  cUanfeth  from  all  Jin. 

I  am  inviolably  yours,  &c. 


LET- 


I 


[    80    3 

LETTER        XL. 
My  Dear,  Nov.  3,  1760. 


Received  your  kind  and  welcome  letter,  I  give 
you  hearty  thanks  for  your  love  unto  and  care  of 
me:  I  fnall  always  think  it  my  duty,  and  an  ad- 
dition to  my  happinefs,  if  I  fhail  fo  behave  as  to 
deferve  the  continuation  of  your  favour.  I  think 
the  leafl  I  can  do,  will  be  to  give  you  love  for  love. 
The  defign  of  our  correfpondence  being  im- 
provement, in  the  divine  life,  what  will  be  mofl 
to  the  ufe  of  edifying,  will  therefore  be  moft 
agreeable  to  our  intention,  and  I  know  it  v/Ill  be 
,,  moft  pleafmg  to  my  friend.  I  have  thought  fome- 
times  that  nothing  is  more  likely  to  obfl:ru<5t  or 
hinder  our  rifmg  higher  into  the  life  and  love  of 
God,  than  too  great  activity  of  thought,  or  too 
liberal  ufe  of  the  imaginary  powers.  The  enemy 
it  may  be  has  the  greateft  accefs  unto  us  at 
this  avenue,  and  has  moll  command  of  this  faculty. 
If  the  things  are  quite  innocent  about  which  we 
think,  yet  that  filence  may  be  difturbed  in  which 
the  foul  ought,  with  compofed  recolIeCtion,  to 
wait  for  the  manifeftation  of  the  love  of  God: 
unreflrained  excurfions  of  the  imagination,  keep 
the  foul  too  much  in  a6t:ion,  unfit  it  for  thofe  di- 
vine impreflions,  which  feldom  come  down  but 
when  the  fpirit  is  profoundly  calm  and  filent.  See- 
ing then  there  is  fo  great  lofs  in  indulging  our  ima- 
gination, even  on  thefe  innocent  iubjefls,  we 
(hall  find  it  very  requifite  often  to  ceafe  from  thofe 
thoughts  which  are  only  the  images  of  external 
things  and  extend  not  to  fpiritual  objects.  This 
practice  excludes  not  that  thinking  which  is  natu- 
ral 


[     8i     J 

ral  to  the  foul,  nor  that  general,  conftant  fight* 
and  apprehenfion  which  it  has  of  God. 

It  is  certainly  of  great  ufe  in  the  divine  life  to  re- 
tire from  the  irregular  workings  of  our  fancy,  into 
that  filent  awe  that  dares  not  move  before  the 
Almighty  :  this  fits  the  foul  for  divine  inlighten- 
ings,  and  fpiritual  embraces  ;  for  the  more  quiet 
we  are,  the  lefs  refiflance  we  make  to  any  fuper- 
natural  impreiTion  ;  and  the  eafier  we  perceive 
the  beginnings  of  divine  attra6lron,  and  Co  yield 
ourfelves  unto  it.  When  the  foul  hath  attained 
the  power,  frequently  to  throw  itfeif  into  this 
filent  ftate,  (which  power  muft  be  attained  by 
habitual  pra6i:ice,)  it  will  then  come  to  clearer  in- 
ternal manlfeftations,  and  intelle61:ual  fights  of  the 
invifible  world  :  many  times  receiving  quickening 
glances  from  eternity,  with  thofe  ftrong  infufions 
of  love,  which  often  bring  the  foul  into  a  rapture. 
The  enjoyments  of  this  Itate  fully  recompence  the 
felf-denial  neceflary  in  the  attaining  it. 

Again,  in  this  recollected  and  filent  waiting  on 
God,  we  come  more  fully  to  perceive  the  true 
ground  of  our  union  and  onenefs  with  all  the  chil- 
dren of  our  heavenly  father  ;  and  the  reafon  of  our 
having  more  clofe  and  intimate  communion  with 
fome,  than  others.  The  general  ground  of  the 
union  of  faints,  is  that  likenefs  which  they  have 
one  to  another,  being  all  partakers  of  one,  even  a 
divine  nature,  and  being  caft  all  into  one  mould, 
by  one  fpirit  afluating  them.  The  reafon  of  fpe» 
cial  communion  with  fome  more  than  others,  is, 
I  ft.  By  being  begotten  unto  the  divine  life  by  one 
inftrument.  Had  we  lived  among  the  primitive 
chriftians,  we  fhould  have  feen  fomething  of  this  : 
thofe  who  were  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  God 
by  St.  Paul,  had  a  peculiar  endearment  to  him, 
and  to   one  another  j  and    fo,   no  doubt,  it  was 

with 


C    S2    3 

with  tliofe  who  were  converted  by  Apolfos,  Ct* 
phas^,  and  others.  But  even  among  thefe  we  fhall 
find  fome,  who  are  ftill  more  particularly  endeared 
to  each  other.  The  reafon  of  this  is,  2dly,  Their 
having  an  agreement  in  their  natural  difpofitions. 
It  is  not  improbable,  that  this  was  the  reafon  of 
our  Saviour's  pecuHar  union  with  St.  John.  The 
whole  bulk  of  believers  are  called  the  body  of 
Chrift  ;  now  as  in  the  natural  body,  fome  bones 
are  joined  unto,  and  locked  in  one  another  in  a 
peculiar  manner;  fo  in  the  myftical  body  of 
Chrift,  fome  of  the  living  members  are  united,  and 
their  fpirits  locked,  or  mingled  in  one  another,  as. 
they  all  are  not.  This  flows  from  the  fuperior 
harmony,  and  fmgular  agreement  of  their  nature 
and  fpirit.  Grace  does  not  deftroy  our  natural 
difpofitions,  but  rectifies  them  by  tliat  heavenly 
principle,  which  reduceth  our  fpirits  unto  the 
highefl  perfe£i:ion,  by  bringing  them  to  their  pri- 
mary model  and  frame.  The  more  alfo  we  ari(e 
above  the  animal  life,  into  the  divine,  and  the 
nearer  we  are  both  to  God  and  one  another  \ 
the  fitter  inftruments  we  become  to  convey  the 
pure  ftreams  of  the  heavenly  life,  with  whom  we 
are  fo  united. 

My  fubje6t  having  detained  me  fo  long,  I  have 
not  time  to  fay  any  thing  refpe6t:ing  myfelf;  but 
that  I  feel  fomething  of  this  happy  union  v/ith 
_you,  and  heartily  ^^fire  to  improve  it.  Believe 
that  I  love,  think  of,  and  pray  for  you.  I  hope 
I  fhall  fee  you  once  again  here,  or  elfe  hereafter 
for  ever. 

lam  unalterably  your's,  &c. 

L  E  T- 


I  83  1 

LETTER        XLI. 

My  dear  Brother,  OS:,  i  7th,  i  760. 

X  HE  chrlftian  union- and  fellowfhip  I  have 
often  found  with  you,  does  not  depend  upon  local 
fituation,  but  can  fubfift  even  when  the  fubjeds  of 
it  are  remote  from  each  other.  Though  I  am  now 
abfent  from  you  in  perfon,  I  am  intimately  near 
you  in  fpirit,  rejoicing  to  think  of  your  union 
with,  and  enjoyment  of  Chrift  Jefus.  I  hope  my 
dear  friend  {lands  fafl:  in  that  blefled  liberty  where- 
with Chrift  hath  made  him  free,  and  is  not  in  any 
meafure  entangled  again  with  the  yoke  of  bondage. 
O  prize  liberty  !  Often  think,  now  you  have 
grace,  how  miferable  you  was  wont  to  be  without 
it.  Only  defire  one  thing  on  earth,  to  make 
your  calling  and  eie<5lion  fure.  Be  a  man  of  one 
bufmefs,  and  intention.  Let  Chrifl  be  all  in  all 
unto  you;  let  him  be  your  bread  to  feed  you,  and 
your  wine  to  chear  you :  your  fun  to  Avarm  and 
enlighten  you,  and  your  fliield  to  defend  you  : 
your  rock  to  ftand  upon,  and  your  hiding  place 
from  the  wind  :  the  fource  of  your  happinefs, 
the  centre  of  your  fpirit,  and  the  obje6t  of  your 
undivided  afFeci:ions.  Let  Jieaven  be  full  in  your 
eye,  Chrifl:  in  your  heart,  ;ind  the  world,  (where 
it  fhould  be)  under  your  feet.  Be  a  companion  of 
angels,  and  the  fpiritsof  juft  men  made  perfefl-,  in 
your  contemplations  ;  a  friend  to  chriftians  in  your 
converfaticn,  and  an  imitator  of  the  lovely  Jefus 
in  all  your  tempers.  Be  covetous  of  grace,  am- 
bitious of  glory,  and  voluptuous  in  fpiritual  enjoy- 
ments.    Be  timorous  of  ycurfelf,  fearlefs  of  men 

and 


[     84     ] 

and  devils,  and  undaunted  in  faith.  Be  little  in 
your  own  eyes,  high  in  the  favour  of  the  faints, 
and  great  in  the  eileem  cf  God.  Be  fo  great  an 
enthufiaft  as  to  piize  an  infelt  Chriil,  and  fo  weak 
and  filly  as  to  feek  all  your  happinefs  in  God: 
though  in  your  own  efteem  environed  with  involun- 
tary infirmities,  yet  in  the  eyes  of  your  fpettarors 
unreproveable.  Such  as  none  but  devils  and  wicked 
men  can  hate,  as  none  hut  envious  and  malicious 
creatures  can  malign,  and  as  God,  ang- Is,  and 
good  men  will  never  fail  to  love.  Be  an  incarnare 
angel,  a  living  inftrudor,  and  a  friend  of  God.  In  a 
word,  be  a  pilgrim  on  earth,  a  free  man  of  the 
new  Jerufalem,  and  a  candidate  for  the  higheft 
glory  in  heaven. 

You  may  eafily  perceive  that  I  have  a  fingular 
refpe6t  for  you,  in  that  I  would  have  you  fingu- 
larly  good  :  and  that  I  may  contribute  all  I  can 
toward^  it,  I  intend  through  the  grace  of  God,  to 
help  you  by  my  prayers,  and  animate  you  by  my 
example.  God  forbid  that  I  fliould  recommend 
any  thing  to  you,  which  I  do  not  purpofe  to  prac- 
tice myfelf.  The  dear  Lord  Jefus  help  me  to  love 
his  narne,  and  people,  and  fervice,  abundantly 
more  than  I  ever  did.  Ruth's  behaviour  to  Nao- 
mi her  mother,  ftiall  be  my  condu6t  to  Chrift 
Jefus,  I  fay  unto  him,  *'  I  will  not  leave  thee,  nor 
return  from  following  after  thee  :  for  whitlier  thou 
goeft,  I  will  go,  and  where  thou  lodgeft,  I  will 
lodge  ;  thy  people  fhall  be  my  people,  and  thy 
God  my  God."  Though  death  might  part  Ruth 
and  her  mother  for  a  time,  yet  even  that  fhall,  (I 
fleadfaftly  believe)  be  a  means  of  bringing  me  more 
immediately  into  the  prefence  and  enjoyment  of 
him  vvhom  my  foal  loveth.  The  Lord  mr^ke  his 
face  to  fhine  continually  upon  the  head,  and 
heart,    of  my  dear,    dear  friend  ;  and  give   him 

ptai-^ 


[     85     1 

peace  in  this  life,  and  everlafting  joy  in  that  which 
16  to  come. 

I  am,  Sec, 

L    E    T     T    E    Pv         XLir. 
My  very  dear  Brother, 


G 


RACE,  mercy,  and  peace  be  mukiplied  up- 
on you  from  God  even  our  Father,  and  from  our 
Lord  Jefus  Chiift.  I  have  often  thought  of  you 
iince  I  faw  you,  and  have  alfo  made  mention  of 
you  in  my  prayers  to  God.  I  believe  the  Lord 
Jefus  will  abundantly  blefs  you,  if  you  alk  enough, 
and  waver  not.  You  have  exceeding  great  reafon 
to  thank  God  for  what  he  hath  already  done,  and 
as  great  encouragement  to  expe£l  more.  What  a 
bleiiing  it  is,  you  were  not  loil  among  the  rich 
ones  of  the  earth,  but  are  faved  among  the  tents 
of  Judah.  What  fliall  I  fay  to  induce  my  dear 
friend  to  be  thankful  ?  Ponder  the  loving  kind- 
nefles,  and  tender  mercies  of  God  in  your  heart. 
Think,  O!  think,  what  fcenes  of  mercies  have, 
interfperfed  ihall  I  fay  ?  Nay :  have  filled,  in  one  un- 
interrupted fucceflion,  your  whole  life !  Let  your 
heart,  your  lips,  your  hands  move  only  to  his 
praife.  Think  meanly  of  yourfelf,  and  that  every 
thing  God  does  for  you,  is  infinitely  more  than 
you  deferve.  When  you  do  good,  and  the  fub- 
jecls  of  your  beneficence  are  unthankful,  or  even 
make  ungrateful,  or  unkind  returns,  commend 
the  deed,  and  them  unto  God,  who  judgeth  righ- 
teoufly,  and  who  will  not  be  unfaithful  to  forget 
your  labour  of  love.  Pray  to  Jefus  to  difcover  all 
the  fubtle,  and  fecret  workings  of  pride,  felf-will, 
I  and 


/ 


[  86  ] 
and  unbelief,  that  may  yet  remain  in  your  foul. 
Let  not  the  leaftuncharitablenefs  have  any  place  in 
your  heart",  no  not  even  toward  your  vvorft  enemies. 
Be  muph  in  the  cxercife  of  love  to  God,  and  all 
men;  and  in  refignation  to  the  will  of  God.  If 
men  fpeak  evil  of  you,  you  are  rever  the  worfe ; 
or  if  they  commend  you,  you  are  never  the  bet- 
ter. We  are  no  more,  or  lefs,  than  we  are  before 
God,  always  confider  yourfelf  {landing  bcfc  re 
him,  as  a  ftone  before  the  carver,  entreating  him 
to  make  of  you  his  holy  image. 

Beware  of  the  world.  Be  fufpi clous  that  it  is 
intending  to  xio  you  mifchief,  in  one  refpe£l  or 
other,  if  it  poffibly  can :  and  therefore  ftand  pre- 
pared, and  fortified  againft.  it,  as  you  would 
againft  a  formidable  enemy. 

I  thank  God  I  have  had  fometimes  pain,  and 
fometimes  eafe,  fince  I  left  ***.  I  am  in  the  arms 
of  Chrift:  He  putteth  his  right  hand  beneath  me, 
and  his  left  hand  embracethme.  I  love  him,  and 
will  not  go  from  him. 

f  cry,  **  Tis  hell  from  thee  to  part ; 
<*  Prefs  me  clofer  to  thy  heart." 

I  fliall  be  glad  to  fee  you  again.  Oh !  that  we 
may  meet  improved  in  grace.  The  good  will  of 
him,  who  dwelt  in  the  bufh,  and  who  accompanied 
the  three  Hebrew  children  in  the  fiery  furnace, 
preferve  and  blefs  you  for  ever. 

I  am,  &c. 


L  E  T- 


I  87  I 

LETTER        XLIIL 
My  very  dear  Friend,  0£t.  6,  1760. 


A: 


.FTER  myufual  morning.exercife,  I  am  now 
fet  down  with  a  defign  to  appropriate  fome  porti- 
on of  my  time  to  the  agreeable  employment  of  wri- 
ting to  my  friend,  whom  I  dearly  love,  and  highly 
cfteem.  Who  knows  the  powerful  effects  of  chrif- 
tian  friendlhip?  The  Icve  which  forms  it,  isftrong- 
er  than  death,  many  iv at ers  cannot  quench  it :  It's 
flame  afcends  toward  heaven,  nor  can  it  be  con- 
fined by  time,  or  fpace*  How  valuable  is  a  faith- 
ful friend  ? 

**  The  friendlefs  owner  of  a  world  is  poor ; 
*'  The  world  in  purchafe  of  a  friend  is  gain.**^ 

I  acknowledge  myielf  indebted  unto  the  kind 
providence  of  God,  which  firft  afforded  me  the 
benefit  of  your  acquaintance,  in  which  I  find  a 
real  pleafure.  But  if  our  friendfliip  affords  fuch 
joys  on  earth,-  where  many  things  occur  to  inter- 
rupt, and  imbitter  it ;  what  delight  will  it  excite 
in  heaven,  where  all  things  tend  to  further  and  im- 
prove it?  And  may  not  this  lead  our  thoughts  a 
itep  higher  ?  What  is  the  friendfliip  fubfifting  be- 
tween created  beings,  compared  with  that  fellow- 
fliip  which  we  have  with  the  glorious  Redeemer  ? 
The  latter  as  much  exceeds  the  former,  as  the  me- 
ridian fun  outfliines  the  fl:ars5  for  as  they  borrow- 
all  their  luftre  from  the  fun,  fo  the  friendfliip  of 
chriftians  derives  its  being  fi'om  their  union  with 
Chrift.  Without  this  it  would  have  its  foundati- 
on in  felfifli  principles,  and  carnal  affc^ions,  and 
I  2  •  its 


[     88     ] 

its  end  in  worldly  confequences:  The  motives  tin^ 
to  it  could  be  no  higher  than  the  low  things  ap- 
pertaining to  the  prefent  time,  fuch  as  beauty,  gain, 
or  pleafure  ;  and  it  would  of  confequence  ebb  and 
flow,  as  they  had,  or  had  not,  a  good  arpe(St  op- 
en it.  Whereas  the  friendfhip  of  true  believers  is 
founded  on  the  infinite  love  of  God,  fixed  upon 
an  immoveable  bafis,  the  fimilitude  of  their  fculs ', 
and  conducted  by  inviolable  integrity,  to  the  end 
of  mutual  edification.  It  is  not  bound  by  time, 
nor  fubjecfl  to  decay:  firm,  and  lafiing  as  its  foun- 
dation, the  love  of  God..  It  is  kindled  in  holy 
fculs  by  the  breath  of  God,  and  preferved  in  life 
and  vigour  by  the  fame,  and  fo  of  the  moft  noble, 
and  excellent  nature.  A  celeftial  plant  growing 
on  earth.  The  foil  is  indeed  too  barren,  and  the 
climate  too  cold,  for  its  arriving  at  full  maturity  •, 
but  e'er  long  it  will  have  its  euth'e  confummarion, 
and  perfedt  completion,  in  the  heavenly  foil,  in 
the  blaze  of  the  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs,  and  in  the 
climate  of  immortality.  It  rs  nor  dependant  on  the 
caprice  and  uncertainty  of  outward  circumfbances, 
and  a  local  fituation.  There  are  now  many  high 
mountains,  broad  rivers,  and  extended  plains  be- 
tween us,  but  they  are  unable  to  ftop  the  flight  of 
our  fpirits,  or  prevent  their  mingling  with  each 
other.  Oh !  that  our  fouls  may  cleave  more  clofe- 
ly  to  the  dear  Lord  Jefus,  and  in  him  to  one  ano- 
ther. 

If  I  might  be  permitted  to  fuggeft  any  thing  by 
way  of  advice,  I  w^ould  fay,  read  the  beft  books, 
keep  the  beft  company,  and  hear  the  beft  preachers 
you  pofilbly  can.  Secure  God  for  your  Father, 
his  children  for  your  companions,  and  heaven  for 
your  portion.  Let  your  heart  be  full  of  Chrift, 
your  converfation  feafoned  with  grace,  and  your 
eye  ftedfaftly  fixed  on  eternal   glory.     Let   this 

.  world 


r  89  J 

world  be  confidered  as  an  inn,  hollnefs  your  high- 
way, and  the  new  Jerufalem  above,  the  end  of 
your  journey.  Receive  all,  and  do  all  the  good 
you  can  v/hile  you  have  opportunity.  Be  a  ftrari- 
ger  on  earth,  of  the  houfehold  of  faith,  and  an 
expe(51:ant  of  the  king'^om  of  God.  I  pray  God 
you  may  be  a  plant  of  renovsrn,  apolifh'd  fhaft  in 
his  quiver,  and  a  vefTel  unto  honour.  May  you 
be  the  favourite  of  God's  throne,  and  the  delight 
and  pleafure  of  his  foul.  In  fhort,  may  you  be 
Chrift*s  follower  on  earth,  his  witnefs  in  judgment, 
and  a  (harer  of  his  glory  in  eternity. 

With  regard  to  myfelf,  my  health  is  but  poor, 
my  body  w^eak,  and  my  ftrength  little.  My  foul 
is  dependant  on  Chrift  Jefus,  loaths  the  world, 
thirfts  for  more  righteoufnefs,  and  longs  for  it's 
cverlafting  home.  My  aim  is>  the  higheft  degree 
of  holinefs  on  earth,  and  the  feat  which  is  ncareft 
to  Chrift  in  glory-  Ambitious^  creature !  Yet  I 
believe  I  have  one  above  me  in  this  bleffed  ambiti- 
on ;  however  I  will  follow  hard  after  you,  as  yoa 
follow  after  Chrift-,  while  I  remain,  your  inviola- 
ble Friend,  &c. 


I 


LETTER        XLIV. 
My  dear  Friend,  April  20th,  1760. 


Know  nothing  will  give  you  greater  fiuisfa^li- 
on,  than  to  hear  of  the  fuccefs  of  the  Gofpel  a- 
mong  the  helplefs  fons  of  men.  And  though  I 
know  you  to  be  far  from  that  credulity,  which  re- 
ceives every  rejxjrt,  yet  you  are  too  well  acquaint- 
ed with  the  fovereignty,  and  unlimited  preroga- 
tive of  God,  who  giveth  account  to  none  of  his 
ways,  nor  is  confined  to  one  mcafure  of  dealing 
I  3  with 


[  90  ] 
with  his  creatures  v  to  rejcdl  every  thing  as  enthu- 
fiafin,  cant,  or  deUifion,  merely  for  having  forac 
extraordinaiT  and  uncommon  circumftances  at- 
tending it.  You  know  well  th^t  the  divine  Being 
hath  his  ways  in  the  whirlwind,  and  his  footfteps 
in  the  great  deep,  where  we  cannot  trace  them, 
and  is  as  unconfined  in  his  beneficence  and  grace, 
as  in  his  might  and  power.  If  therefore  what  I 
am  going  to  relate,  bears  the  eilential  marks  of  his 
grace  and  goodnefs,  and  is  confonant  to  his  pro- 
mifes,we  need  not  fear  an  unpardonable  provocation 
in  afcribing  it  unto  him  ;  but  on  the  other  hand, 
we  may  juftly  fear  the  worft  of  crimes,  and  the 
greateft  of  punilhments  will  be  the  confequence  of 
our  flighting,  or  efpecially  afcribing  unto  another 
caufc,  what  is  fo  worthy  of  God. 

About  the  middle  of  laft  month,  a  few  honeft 
people  in  a  neighbouriag  town  met  together,  as 
they  had  often  done  before,  upon  a  religious  oc- 
cafion,  to  improve  their  acquaintance  with  their 
Ptedeemer,  and  (ufing  all  diligence)  to  make  their 
calling  and  ektiion  fure.  God  who  always  counte- 
nances every  well  defigned  undertaking,  and  ne- 
ver fails  to  meet  with  his  people  in  the  way  of 
his  mercy,  when  they  are  found  in  the  way  of 
their  duty,  was  prefent  in  a  very  remarkable  man- 
ner, where  thefe  two  or  three  were  alTembled  to- 
gether. They  began  their  blefFed  exercife  with 
lingin|  an  hymn,  and  in  joining  their  fervent  pe- 
titions, and  offering  them  to  the  throne  of  grace, 
which  is  always  eafy  of  accefs  to  every  faithful  ap- 
proacher.  After  deep  recollection,  complaints  of 
the  depravity  of  their  nature,  and  their  deep  re- 
volt from  God,  with  intermingled  thankfulnefs 
for  their  free  juftification  through  faith  in  Chrift, 
broke  the  folemn  filence.  Convincing  light  from 
heaven  {hone  upon  their  minds,  and  dilcovered  at 

once. 


E  91  ] 
dnce,  both  the  prefent  defers  and  Impurities  of 
their  hearts,  and  the  neceflity  of  their  beirg  dean- 
fed  from  all fil thine fs  ot  fiefh  andfpirit,  and  of  their 
per f ei^in^  holinefs  ifi  the  fear  of  God.  Though  an 
aftonifliing  fight  of  indwelling  fin,  made  them 
tremble,  yet  moved  by  an  internal  principle  of 
grace,  and'  the  facred  influence  of  the  Holy  GhofI:; 
and  encouraged  by  the  great  and  precious  pro- 
mifes  of  Gc  d  ;  through  the  mouth  of  one,  they 
poured  the  full  ftream  of  their  defires,  in  the  at- 
tentive ear  of  their  companionate  R.edeemer. 

And  he  who  hath  faid,  afk  and  ye  Jhall  receive^ 
was  prefent,  and  faithful  to  fulfil  his  promife.  Up- 
on the  occurrence  of  thefe  words  in  prayer,  "  Thou 
"  God  of  Abraham,  Ifaac  and  Jacob,  hear  for 
^'  the  fake  of  thy  Son,  Jefus  Chrifb/'  one  faid, 
(unable  to  confine  the  joy  he  felt,  in  his  own 
breaft)  "  BlefTed  be  the  Lord  God  for  ever,  and 
ever  more,  for  he  hath  cleanfed  my  heart ! 
Pratfe  the  Lord,  O  my  foul,  and  all  that  is  "juithin 
me  praife  his  holy  name  /"  More  like  an  inhabitant 
of  heaven,  than  eartli,  he  cried  *'  Glory,  Glcry ! 
Glory!  be  to  God,  he  hath  cleanfed  me  from  all 
unrivhteoufnefs  /" 

Another,  being  in  agony  of  prayer,  i])oke  to 
this  purpofe.  "  I  hold  thee  with  a  trembling  hand, 
but  will  not  let  thee  go :  I  fee  b/  an  eye  of  faith, 
my  Saviour  turn  to  his  Father,  to  his  God,  and 
my  God !  Now  he  turns  his  face  to  me  !''  &rc. 
And  in  a  little  time  he  burft  out  in  the  fame  exfta- 
cy  of  joy  and  praife,  as  the  former,  faying ;  "  BlefT- 
ed be  the  Lord  for  evermore,  he  hath  clean- 
fed my  heart  I"  Repeating  the  fame  many  times 
over. 

A  third  was  heard  to  fay,  "  To  my  own  appre- 
"  heniion,  I  am  hanging  over  the  pit  of  h-ll  by 
*^  a  flender  thread;"    while  another  cried  with  a 

loud 


[    92    ] 
loud  anddifmal  cry  :  **  I  am  in  hell!  I  am  in  heilt 
"  Save  me!  Save  me,  or  I  perifli." 

A  fifth  was  quite  differently  affe^ed,  and  with 
a  voice  full  of  melody,  a  countenance  full  of  joy, 
and  a  heart  full  of  happinefs,  cried  ^*  Glory  be  to 
•^  God  for  evermore,  for  he  hath  pardoned  all 
«'  mvfms!" 

This  continued  for  the  fpace  of  two  hours,  fome 
praifing,  extolii'  g  and  magnifying  God,  in  more 
exalted  devotion  than  is  common  to  the  prefent 
Hate  of  things :  others  praying  to  their  Creator 
and  Saviour  with  unufual  earneftnefs  and  fervour. 
Some  in  the  finplicity  and  warmth  of  their  hearts 
laid,  as  is  natural  for  perfons  in  fuch  circumflan- 
ces,  **0  that  my  hufband,  O  that  my  children 
had  been  here  to  night !  Others,  O  that  my  wife, 
O  that  my  friends,  O  that  all  the  town  had  been 
here  to  night !"  1  his  was  a  time  indeed  of  refrefh- 
ing  from  the  prefence  of  the  Lord  :  (To  compare 
little  things  with  great)  A  fecond  Pentecoft. 

If  all  the  world  our  Saviour  knew. 

Sure  all  the  world  would  love  and  praifehim  too  I 

The  night  following,  the  fame  perfons  aflem- 
bled  together  again,  and  the  power  of  the  Lord 
was  prefent  to  heal  the  wounded,  to  comfort  the 
difconfolate,  and  to  deliver  thofe  which  were 
bound.  As  the  God  of  all  grace,  whofe  mercies 
are  new  every  morning,  and  repeated  every  even- 
ing, had  greatly  purified  and  enlarged  the  hearts 
of  three  the  proceeding  night,  fo  he  did  the  fame 
for  three  more  this  night,  and  unto  one  he  gave 
the  knowledge  ol:  falvation,  by  the  remifhon  of 
his  fms.  Lord  how  wonderous  are  thy  bleflings, 
how  ftupenduous  are  thy  works  !  Here  we  may  fay 
whh  as  great  pix^priety  and  with  far  greater  won- 
der, than  when  we  view  the  works  of  the  creation : 

«  Thefc 


[  93  3 
<*  Thefe  are  thy  works  parent  of  good  :'*  You  maf 
eafily  perceive  that  notwithftanding  my  natural  pre- 
judice, (unto  which  you  ?re  not  a  ftranger)  againft 
every  thing  which  has  the  appearance  of  diforder, 
or  is  in  the  leaft  irrational  j  this  has  baffled  tny  car- 
nal  "duifdom,  and  fully  gained  the  approbation  of 
my  faithlefs  mind.  It  would  do  my  dear  friend 
good  to  fee  what  a  furprifing  change  there  is  in  the 
tempers  and  converfation  of  thefe  highly  favoured 
people.  You  cannot  cotaverfe  with  them,  but  (if 
invincible  prejudice  prevents  it  not)  you  feel  all 
your  fpirit  exhilerated  and  your  foul  glowing  with 
heavenly  ardor,  every  grace  quickened  and  all  your 
powers  ftrongly  gravitating  to  the  God  of  your 
fiilvation.  The  humility  and  meeknefs,  the  feri- 
oufnefs  and  gravity,  the  love  and  gentlenefs, 
which  you  difcover  in  their  artlefs  behaviour,  come 
with  greater  energy,  and  much  better  recommend- 
ed to  your  conquered  heart,  than  all  that  the  moft 
able  orators  can  fay  from  the  pulpit,  upon  thefe 
graces.  •  You  are  conftrained  to  acknowledge 
that  God  is  ivith  them  of  a  truth. 

I  have  already  tranfgrelTed  the  ufual  limits  of  a 
letter,  and  trefpaffed  upon  my  friend's  patience, 
but  I  yet  beg  his  indulgence,  while  I  offer  my 
hearty  petitions  to  almighty  God,  in  behalf  of  my 
friend  and  myfelf ,  for  thefe  divine  favours. 

''  O!  thou  author  of  being,  and  of  all  bleffed- 
**  nefs  !  Thou  inexhauftible  treafure  of  goodnefs! 
**  Who  didfl:  create  man  in  thine  own  bleffed 
"  image,  and  likenefs,  and  has  given  us  indubita- 
"  ble  proofs  of  thy  willingnefs,  yea  defire  that  we 
^'  fhould  be  recovered  unto  our  unfinning  flate ;  and 
"  who,  for  the  fame,  haft  made  the  moft  ample  pro- 
"  villon,  in  thy  well  beloved  Son  Jefus  Chrift; 
"  look  upcn  thy  helplefs  fervants,  and  for  the 
"  fake  of  him  in  whom  thou  declarefl  thyfelf  well 
"  pleafed,  fulfil  in  us  all  that  which  thy  own  felf 

intendefl. 


[  94  ]  ■ 
*'  intendeft,  in  the  great  and  precious  promifes^, 
**  thou  haft  made  unto  us,  and  all  who  beheve. 
'*  Circumcife  thefc  hearts  to  love  thee,  with  all 
**  our  heart,  and  foul,  and  mind.  From  all  our 
**  idols,  and  from  all  our  fihhinefs,  good  Lord 
•*  do  thou  deliver  us,  and  for  the  glory  of  thy 
**  great  name,  let  thy  Son's  precious  blood  cleanfe 
''  us  from  all  ftn\  that  there  may  be  no  occafion 
"  of  ftumbling  in  us,  that  the  difciple  may  be  as 
**  his  mafter,  and  that  we  may  perfect  holinefs  in 
* '  thy  fear,  that  fo  we  may  be  part  of  that  church 
**  tor  which  our  de<»r  Redeemer  gave  himfelf,  that 
"  he  might  prefent  it  unto  himfelf,  a  glorious 
"  church,  not  having  fpot  or  wrinicle,  or  any 
"  fuch thing;  but  thatitfliouldbeholy,  andwith- 
'*  out  blemifli ;  and  we  being  as  he  is,  even  in 
*'  this  world,  may,  with  all  his  fandlified  fons  and 
"  daughters,  be  exalted  unto  his  throne,  and 
**  enjoy  everlafting  bleflednefs  ia  his  prefence. 
**  Amen.  I  am 

Your,  inviolable  Friend  in  Chrift  Jefus. 

LETTER         XLV. 

Dear  Brother,  Dec.  loth.  1760. 

JL  OUR.  profitable  letter  found  me  ill  In  a  fever, 
from  a  violent  cold.  The  ftate  of  my  mind  was 
exactly  as  you  defcribed.  With  amazement  I  cri- 
ed out,  furely  thefe  are  the  caufes  of  my  complaint ! 
I  immediately  endeavoured  to  reduce  your  advice 
to  practice  :  And  what  was  the  efFe(^  .'*  O  blefled 
be  God,  I  know  not  how,  or  where  to  begin  to 
tell  you !  My  burdened  mind  got  free,  as  a  bird 
out  of  a  fnare :  My  cares  were  caft  on  my  ever 
faithful  Lord  j  my  foul  was  ftayed  on  him  who  is 

God 


[  95  ] 
God  over  all,  bleffed  for  evermore.  My  freed 
and  enlarged  heart,  enjoyed  his  fweet,  and  preci- 
ous peace.  This  ftatc  I  have  been  in  ever  fmce, 
my  happinefs  increafing  daily  more  and  n^ore. 
Blefled  be  my  adorable  Redeemer,  I  have  nothing 
to  complain  of;  all  is  glory,  happinefs.,  and  hea- 
ven !  J  have  neither  fear,  nor  care  but  ho  w  I  may 
live  unblameably  in  the  prefence  of  my  Bel  ved. 
Now  I  every  moment  find,  not  only  uni  n,  but 
communion  alfo,  with  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
through  the  Holy  Spirit.  I  am  fo  elevated  that  I 
forget  to  eat  my  neceflary  food :  Even  now  while  I 
am  writing,  my  foul  is  expanded  to  grafp  the  in- 
finite. O  if  we  were  now  together,  how  fliould 
we  extol,  adore,  and  pratfe  our  ever  living,  and 
ever  loving  Jefus !  But  alas !  how  barren  is  hu- 
man language,  let  filence  fpeak  his  praife. 

How  my  dear  Lord  will  deal  with  me,  or  difpofc 
of  me  for  the  future,  I  know  not,  but  I  fay, 

"  Jefus,  I  come  thy  will  to  do, 
"  I  come  thy  will  to  fuffer  too." 

But  for  this  I  nave  need  of  all  the  light  and 
ftrength,  and  wifdom  God  will  give  me.  O  help 
me,  help  me  all  you  can:  Do  not  with-hold  from 
me  any  advice  which  you  believe  will  be  ufeful  to 
me.  I  find  retirem.ent,  folitude,  and  ftillnefs  to 
be  very  helpful,  and  now,  (I  thank  God)  I  have 
better  opportunity  for  the  lame  than  ufual. 

But  while  I  fpeak  of  the  goodnefs  of  God,  how 
fhall  I  defcribe  my  own  helplelTnefs,  ignorance, 
weaknefs,  and  infirmity !  I  cannot  defcribe  it, 
but  you  can  tell  a  little,  by  what  you  feel  in  your- 
felf.  I  am  loft  in  thought  I  how  can  it  be,  that 
fuch  infinite  wifdom,  goodnefs,  love,  mefcy,  and 
power,  can  join  themfelves,  to  fuch  vilenefs  and 

poverty ! 


[    96    ] 
poverty!  Angels  cannot  tell!  O  my  foul  be  con- 
tent to  feel,  and  enjoy,  and  fay  was  ever  love  like 
thine !  Let  me  hear  how  Jefus  deals  with  }  our  fouL 
I  am  your  aftedtionate  Friend,  &c. 

LETTER         XLVI. 


I 


My  dear  Friend,  May  1 1  th,   i  yda 


Now  think  it  very  long  fince  I  heard  from  my 
dear  Friend,  I  hope  it  will  not  be  much  loriger  be- 
fore Lfeeyou;  then  Ihall  we  be  able  toiVrengthen 
each  others  hands  in  God.  By  this  time,  I  truft, 
the  ftorms  are  pretty  well  over,  and  that  you  had 

comfortable  meetings  with   Mr.  C ',  at   your 

own  houfe.     1  fe:  t  you  a  few  lines  by  him. 

Do  you  flill outride  all  your  trials  :■  Do  you  grow- 
more  hoi;  every  day,  by  every  thing  you  meet 
with  ?  You  will  foon  be  harboured  in  eternal  reft. 
I  fhould  be  glad  to  have  your  underftanding  a  lamp 
of  divine  light,  >  our  foul  full  of  fpirltual  wifdom, 
and  knowledge,  as  Jordan  of  water,  in  the  time 
of  harveft :  I  would  have  all  your  words  to  be  full 
of  grace,  as  ointment  poured  forth-,  and  all  you 
are,  a  facrifice  of  a  fv.eet  fmelling  favour,  without 
any  part  weak,  earthlv,  or  carnal.  O  mav  your 
Saviour,  and  your  love,  bring  you  to  this  felf 
fame  thing  Rejpice,  foldier  of  Chrift  !  child  of 
God  !  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  you 
are  called.  Remember  the  captain  of  )  our  fal- 
vation.  Fight !  conquer  !  die,  and  live  for  ever  ! 
What  you  faid  was  made  a  great  blcffing  to  my 
foul,  for  this  is  what  I  long  for,  this  is  indeed 
being  as  a  city  fet  upon  a  hill,  and  giving  light  to 
all  about  it.     But  O  what  weaknefs  do  I  find  ! 

yet 


t  97  ] 
Yet  God  is  my  ftrcngth:  he  enables  me  to  go  on 
day  by  day  ;  living  upon  him,  and  looking  up  un- 
to him.  I  have  been  tiied  fince  I  came  here,  by 
God,  men,  and  devils ;  through  all  I  cry.  Thy  ivill 
be  done,  O  my  dear  friend,  it  is  well  there  is  d 
day  coming,  that  will  make  amends  for  alL  While 
we  look  to  the  captain  of  cur  falvation,  we  need 
H'Ot  fear  what  men  can  do,  or  fay  unto  us.  Pray 
for  me,  I  have  need  thereof,  having  a  weak  body 
and  foul;  but  my  fure  trufl  is  in  the  God  of 
ftrength,  and  pov/er.  Give  rily  ]t>ve  to  a!  triends, 
accept  the  fame  yourfelf. 

From  your  affe6iionate  Sifter,  &rc. 

LETTER        XLVII. 

My  Dear,  March  28th,  1760.. 


I 


Expected  to  liear  from  you  much  fooner  than  I 
did,  however  your  letter  was  welcome  when  k 
came:  you  have  greatly  the  advantage  of  me,  yoa 
always  know  where  I  am,  but  I  do  not  know  v/herc  , 
you  are;  yet  nothing  can  part  us  but  fin,  arid 
furely  that  fhall  nev<!r  do  :t.  Since  I  heard  lafi 
from  you,  I  have  been  vory  ill  in  bo -^y,  and  much 
tempted  arrd  grieved  in  fpirit.  t  often  look  with 
longing  eyes  to  my  Father's  houfe,  and  groan 
to  be  cloathed  upon  v/ith  my  houfe  from  heaven: 
Yet  I  can  alwavs  fay,  My  dear  Father,  T/i\  ivill 
be  done,  I  find  I  am  more  an  inhabitant  of  heaveti 
than  earth  ;  few  underhand  me,  or  are  willing  fo 
to  do;  however  I  am  determined  to  (land  or  fali 
with  Jtfus,  and  not  with  the  muUitudc.  He  is  the 
hfe  of  my  life,  and  the  foul  of  my  Toul;  I  find 
fuch  a  friendia  hjn?,  as  my  tongue  cannot  exprer^. 
Xi  O  my 


I  5S  : 

O/iiv  iicar  friend,  I  bear  the  burden  of  ihe  Lcrd; 
lam  paJne^^  to  fee  fo  few  willing  to  be  cojilbrnicd 
to  Jefus.     One  i?  of  ]\iul,  another  of  AdoIIgs,  nnd 
nnoiJier  ofCephs?,  but  whoof  Chrifl:  ?  hew  many 
make   their  reheion  to  confill  in  culwiird   things  - 
how  true  is   tlip.t  parable  ci"   the   fewer!   cnfy  ere 
fort  of  ground  brought  forth  fiuit,   thougji   lour  re- 
ceived ihe   {^td  o{    the  kingdom.      Thefe  things, 
with   ni2ny    more,  are   the  caulcs   of  my   trouble 
daily.       Hut  what  Ihall  I  do  ?    labour  lo  live  to  God 
(in  a  wicked  world)  in  heart,    nnd  in  all  my  con- 
verfation,  and  be  ready  to  hear   thnt  welcome  word, 
<?/-//>,  7?:y /ovr,  arid  cjme  a^.vny.      jMy  foul  at  pre  fen  t, 
rclrs  in  Cod,  and  daily  labours  to   be  approved  of 
him  :  in  all  I  do,    I   look  to   him   alone,  I  live  on 
him'  alone,  and  I  live   to   lilni  alone,    and  fo  am 
happv  in  him  alone.     This  is   the  prefent  flate  of. 
my   mind.     Jefus   loves  mc,  he    tries,  and  proves 
me,    and  leads   me  a  way   I  kirow    not :    but   it  is 
enousfh  that  I  remain  in  the  i.crd's  hands,    as  clay 
in  the  hands  of  the  Potter.     As  to  the  fight  I  have 
cfmvfelf,   words  cannot c>: pre <s:   how  weak,  how 
feeble,  how  poor,  how  helplefs,  how  ignorant  !    I 
feem    to  be  :    fomerimes    I  think  I  do   not    know 
what    I  am  good  for !  O  love  and  mercy !    O  free 
Frace!  O    infinite  companion!    what  fhall   I  fiiy  I 
It  is  God,;    it  is  Jefus  ;   it  is  the  friend  of  Tinners  I 
Mx  dear  love,  labour,  fuffer,  d  e  and  conquer! 
foldier  of  Chrift,  go  on,  and  win   the  well-fought 
field.     Keep  your  "garments  white  and   clean,  fit 
for  eternity.     I  pray  God  that  this  may  be  the  lot 
of  my  dear  correfpondent,    and  your  hearty  friend, 
V.  ho  inviohblv  loves  you. 


[     99     ] 

L     K     T     T     E     R         XLVlIf. 

My  dear  Friend,  Jan.  12th,  i^    :. 

i.  HOU  G  11  \vc  are  ahfent  ia  hociy,  vet  I  trufc 
weareprdent  in  fpirit ;  and  may  the  Lord  Jefiis  srivc 
(IS  more  abundiintly  that  mark  of  oiirbeinj  his  llr^ 
ric  ehildren,  \iz.  our   (ove  cnt  to  another.     God 

f^  is  love.    When  Vv^e  are  like  cur  divine  mafter,  \vc 
ihall  be  eminently  loving  nlfo.     Love  indeed  alone, 

p'  I  fee,  can  conquer  this  rebellious  heart.  O  that  I 
could  truly  fay,  *'  I  yield,  I  }  it;ld  at  kft,  o'er- 
whclmed  by  love,  and  fail,  and  own  thee  conquer- 
or f"  you  bid  rae  write  freely;  I  will  endeavour 
Co  to  do.  Indeed  when  I  am  writing  it  Teems  al- 
ways, as  if  I  v.as  talkin>!:  lo  my  own  heart,  and 
!  ciiraint  is  intirely  bniiifhcd  ;  but  when  I  cm  in' 
cmpany  with  God*s  dcsr  children,  I  find  myfelf 
•  reatly  iinv^blc  lont^cnnn*  mouth,  i.nd  fo  cftinics 
I  rtfuTc, 

'*  ir>h  rifrhtcofners  to  impart, 
^'  By  hieing  it  within  my  heart." 

I  find  there  is  no  other  wny  of  going  rn  unto 
perfcclion  than  bv  lavinsr  afide  eveiy  v/eighi,  r.rd 
cfpecia'ly  the  lin  which  moll  ea  Uy  befsts  us,  ar.d 
freaoily  locking  unto  Jefus.  He  who  is  the  captain  of 
iVaV  riilvriiicn,  cots  e;o  btiore  me,  r.nd  would,  (  1 
knew  quickly  dellrov  a!i  his,,  and  my  foes,  if  I 
ciid  but  follow  liim  ful'y  :  but,  alas  t  hov/  often 
roes  Satan  citbcr  -divert,  or  drive  caiifc  from  lefu;. 
Tlie  croud  of  my  enemies  are  mis:hiier  than  I,  my 
^oura'-rc  fails,  and  !  lofe  fijhr  of  my  ^r^At  hreh 
pilen  :  ^i'.  1  '  :;ve  srood  le.ifon  tw  "  .  :k.ere  is 
K  .1  mtvcv 


C    ^'^^    ] 

rncrcy  in  Chrifl  for  every  returning  finner. 
Though  my  heart  Is  prone  to  wander  TrGm,  and  lo 
leave  the  God  1  love,  yet  no  fooner  do  1  return 
towards  him,  than  1  find  my  Lord  willing  to  re- 
ceive me.  1  have  been  this  laft  week  pall,  much 
befet  with  wandering  imaginations,  and  this,  and 
the  other  was  reprefented  unto  my  mind :  When 
I  v/as  faithful,  and  refcluteiy  turned  from  the  re- 
prefentations,  the  temptations  wrought  together  for 
my  gcod;but  if  any  wife  I  gave  way  unto  them  they 
brought  hurt  and  condemnation  to  my  poor  fouL 
I  find  it  very  hard  ro  give  up  my  whole  heart  to 
Ood,  and  it  Teems  to  me  th;u  if  God  vv^as  to  com- 
mand me  to  give  it  to  any  creature  in  the  univerre,ir 
would  not  be  half  fo  hard  as  to  give  it  to  him,  who 
is  altogether  worthy  of  it,yea  and  altogether  lovely. 
What  a  proof  is  this  of  the  depravity  of  our  na- 
ture, and  total  apoftacy  from  our  original  recti- 
tude,, that  we  lliould  be  fo  prone  to  forfake  him 
"who  is  the  fountain  of  light,  hfe,  and  love,  and 
hew  out  unto  ourfelves  broken  cillerns  which  caa 
bold  no  water!  Ln  Jtsus  there  is  a  fountain  of 
living  waters,  ever  full  and  ev?r  flowing  ;  rhere 
we  may  drink,  and  yet  no  fear  of  its  being  ex- 
haufted.  O  !  the  riches  of  Tefus's  love  1  may  I, 
and  you  be  wholly  taken  up  therewith. 

I  find  at  times,  that  my  eye  is  evil,  becanfe  God 
is  good.  O  !  how  deeply  am  I  fallen  from  all  that 
is  good.  I  ord  giv-  me  to  feel  it  yet  more  abun- 
dantly, that  I  ma .  cry  more  earneftly  to  thee  who 
art  the  giver  tf  every  good,  and  perfect  gift  j  then 
wilt  thou  alTuredly  fupply  my  wants.  Thy 
promifes  are  made  unto  thofe  who  believe,  and 
pray  •,  ( :  that  thou  wouldft  ie.u  them  all  to  my 
poor  foul. 

1  defign  to  fet  apart  fome  part  of  the  Saturday, 
every  week,  for  ciofe  examination  of  myfelf,  that 

by 


[  »"I _  ] 

bv  the  light  of  Cod's  fph'it  I  may  difcover  v/Iia^ 
i'aults  1  have  been  guilty  of,  or  what  progrefs  i 
have  made  in  grace  the  proceeding  week. 

Though  we  may  never  meet  more  on  earth,  yet 
ihall  Avc,  (Itruft)  join  in  Tinging  the  fong  of  Mofes 
and  the  I.amb,  which  fliall  never  have  an  end,  but 
employ  a  whole  eternity.  O  blefled  expectation 
of  living  for  ever  to  pra  fe  Immanuers  dying  love! 
l^ray  remember  me  at  the  throne  of  grue,  re- 
prove fi  cely  whatever  you  fee,  or  fear  amifs  in  me  : 
probe  the  wound  to  the  bottom  j  that  any  evil 
which  lies  concealed  may  be  brought  to  light,  that 
fo  I  may  come  to  the  good  Phylician  to  be  healed. 
O  may  you  fink  deeper,  and  deeper  into  God, 
till  you  be  wholly  loft  in  his  fuUnefs. 

"  Till  he  niore  of  heaven  beftow, 
*'  And  let  the  veflel  break 
*'*  Let  your  ranfom'd  fpirit  go, 
**  To  gralp  the  God  you  feek.'* 

So  prays  your  aJeciionate  Sider, 

and  humble  Servant. 
Tcufday 

P.  S.  JNlr.  E was  this  morning  flruck  Vvith  a 

palfey,  which  prevented  our  friend  meeting  with 
us:  M.  M.  fupplied  the  place  :  God  gave  me  to 
fee  myfel!  very  proud,  and  foolilh ;  and  that  in- 
llead  of  falling  at  the  feet  of  all,  I  wanted  them 
to  be  at  mine.  O  the  precioufneis  of  that  blood 
which  can  blot  out  lins  of  fo  deep  a  dye  !  But  I 
want  to  be  made  inwardly  clean :  nothing  I  find 
but  a  new  heart  will  do.  1  can  truly  fay  1  Icatli 
myfelf,  but  this  does  not  bring^i«jn\ility  into  my 
heart 5  nothing  but  Jtsu's  fove  ca^  do  that. 
Pray  much  for  me,  and  the  good  L(>kl>  grant  I 
mav  be  earncft  for  myfelf.     Adieu. 

K  3  I.  E  T- 


I 


[      102      ] 

LETTER      XLIX. 
My  dear  Friend,  Jan.  20th,  lydr^ 


Heartily  thank  you  for  writing  fo  foon :  I  truft 
to  follow  your  advice.  Sure  my  compaflionate 
Jks  u  s  will  not  fufFer  me  to  ftop  fliort  of  the  mark^ 
for  the  prize  of  our  high  calling,  but  his  power- 
ful ai;m  will  fupport,  and  help  me,  I  truft  to  go 
toward  perfe<Slion.  I  feel  more  and  more  I  can  da 
nothing,  and  that  all  my  ftrength  eonlifts  in  hang- 
ing on  Jesus.  I  feel  often  my  own  will  as  a 
mountain  which  feems  to  ftand  between  my  foul 
and  God  j  but  I  know,  if  my  fpiritua!  Zerubbabel 
fliall  appear,  it  fhall,  before  him,  become  a  plain. 
I  find  power  to  carry  my  difeafed  foul  to  Jks  us, 
for  him  to  heal  it,  and  I  believe  he  will  perfed^ 
his  ftreng  h  in  my  weaknefs  :  I  feel  fuch  a  teftimo- 
ny  of  the  faithfulnefs  of  God,  that  I  cannot  help 
believing  he  will  feal  all  his  promifes  to  my  foul. 
I  fee  the  word  of  God  {o  firm  and  fteadf aft,  that 
it  feems  indeed  I  have  fure  ground  to  build  upon. 
How  can  I  have  furer,,  fince  Jtsus  has  fworn  to 
deflroy,  and  drive  out  all  my  foes  before  his  face? 

^^  My  captain  leads  me  forth 
"  To  conqueft  and  a  crown." 

I  find  I  come  far  fhort  of  being  wliat  I  ought  to 
be;  and  yet  indeed  I  ftand  aftoniftied  at  Good's 
mercy  to  one  who  is  fo  prcne  to  leave  him  as  1  amf 
Whenfoever  I  return  unto  him,  I  find  him  will- 
ing to  receive  me ;  when  I  fall  at  the  feet  of  his 
mercy,  I  find  free  boundlefs  compaflion  for  ever 
roll  in  his  adorable  breaft.     He  is  the  friend  of  fin- 

ners. 


irefs^  and   tlefTed   be   bis  dear   name,    he   Is   my 
friend. 
jj^'        I  had  a  very  great  blefUng^on  Sntnrd£iy  st  Bro- 

W     ther   G s.^  In  the  morning  while   at  nrsyers, 

I''  I  felt  fuch  a  witncfs  that  I  Ihould  Hand  on  Sion^;> 
Hill,  and  behold  the  fair  beauty  of  the  Lamb  that 
died  for  all,  as  made  me  amazed  !  O  what  a  bkf- 
fing  is  it,  that  tiiere  is  an^  eternity,  wherein  to  en- 
joy God,  and  aferibe  praifes  unto  h«Ti !  Lord- 
tune,  and  prepare  my  heart  now  on  earth,  that  I 
may  be  more  fit  to  join  the  blefled  quires  above. 
1  ake  away  every  jarring  ilring,  then  (hall  all  be 
harrnony  and  love. 

I  have  jull:  now  jorncd  a  few  moments  in  prayer 

with  my  fifter,    and   both  err   fciils   were   greatly 

refrefhed  :  Our  jefus  was  witli  m  indeed,  and  his 

power  refted  on  our  hearts.     She  fecms  to  be  rather 

«    ^better,  though  Hill  in  pain  and  feverlih. 

P         M— has  great  confidence  that  God  xvill  give 

"  her  a  new  and  fan6lified  heart  :  flie  found  on  Sa- 
turday, while  at  prayer  with  Mrs.  ***  a  furprifmg 
change  in  her  whole  foul,  attended  v,'ith  an  uncom- 
mon decree  of  hsppinefs  ;  and  on  Sunday  at  pub- 
lic worfhip,  thefe  words  were  fpoken  to  her  heart 
w- ith  great  pbwiir,  mji  ivill  Jl?ali  be  thy  "juill,  and 
thy  will Jhall  be  my  luill.  Afterwards  fhe  found 
power  to  give  herfelf  wholly  unto  her  Maker,  to 
be  difpofed  of  as  he  pleafed  :  all  her  idols  were  ta- 
ken away  from  her,  and  all  thofe  things  which  en- 
tangled her  foul,  are  beneath  her  feet  :  fhe  is 
brought  into  i  fubmiffive  patient  waiting  for  all  the 
bleflings  her  Saviour  has  to  beftow  upon  her. 
Blefled  {late!  amazing  goodnefs!  and  all  thefe 
bleflings  flow  from  the  crofs  of  Chrift :  'tis  his 
dear,  and  precious  blocd  which  purchafes  all  things 
ior  us. 


[     i'04     ] 
On  Sundiy  Mr.^**  preached  from  Gal.  vi.  14,- 
}  :.y  !<..  Fro  n  which  he  took  occallon  to  ihcw  us, 
th.n  by  wliat  Christ  did  upon  the  crofs,  Jic  not 
r:ily.]>.'.id    our  dfbr,    and    miule    fiitisfa^lion   for 
<  iir.  fins;  bnt  iilib  procured  that   power,  which 
wlien  conmranlcated  unVo  us,  from  him,  enables 
us  to  hcnv   all  tiie  cal.muties,  croiies,*' jxiins,  and 
i\i'}eriii^  incident  unto  us   in  this  vale  of  tears ; 
a".d   10  crucify   and  deftroy  every    lult,   motion, 
a;vJ   '."ni-ul  dcilre  o/theflei.h.     He  alfo  obferved 
that  all  our  temporal  enjoy',r^-..ts  were  purcl^ifed 
thereby,  wdiich  obfervaiion   has  (ince  greatly  en- 
deared to  me  the  neceiraries  and  conveniences  of 
life  which  I  erjov.     This  I  think  is  the  purchafe 
o'f  my  Saviour's  Blood,  the  blood  of  liim  who 
is  God,  the  blood    of  him  who  is  the  cbjccl:  of 
my    love.       O    that  I   might  feel-  this    precious 
blood,  vv'hich   has  procured    my   ford,  and   rai- 
ment,   and    every  other  bleffing  of  life,    always 
fprinkled  upon   ray  lieaij:.     1  iincj  much  want  of 
■fimplicity  of  ipirit,  for  trit>^jL.(^^i;ri*cJ0'!-ce  with  thofe 
v/ho  do  rejoice,"' ycf  I  cannot,(as  I  dei]re)mourn 
with  thofe  v»'ho  mourn.     1  feel  pity,  and  Icve  to 
them,  yet  I  have  not  that  deep  fenfe  of  their  fuf- 
ferings,  which  I  apprehend  I  cught  to  have.     O 
that  this  felf  love  wi*'s  tuflt^  into  the  love  of  God, 
then  would  it  llovrmore  freely  to  my  fellow  crea- 
tures.    O  that  I  niight  ceafe  from  all  felf  feeking, 
and  feek  only  to  know  Jcfus  ChriA,  and  him  cru- 
cified.    May  he  bind  my  fpirit  to  his   crofs,  and 
fubdue  my  v/ill,    and  make  it  fubject  to  his  own 
and  unite  my  foul  unto  himfelf.  I  blefs  God,  I  fee 
his  hand  more  abunclanily  io  all  thi-igs,  and  there- 
fore in  fonie  meafiu'e  oa?i  in  all  things  iefi^>.'ipy- 
felf  unto  liim.     I  know  by  that  little,  littTe^t'aft^  I 
have  had,  what  a  reft  there  muft  be,  wli&i'«  there 
'is  a  conftant  freedom  froni  iiiordiha'te.'iai'e,    evil 


[  105  ] 
dcfire,  and  every  other  fm  :  whtm  all  is  folic!  joy, 
firm  peace,  and  ftedfail  rejoicing  in  hope  of  that 
day  when  faith  Ihall  be  fwallowcd  up  of  fight, 
and  death  in  i-mmonality.  Glory  be  to  God  that 
you,  my  happy  lifter,  enjoy  this  perfect  liberty  v 
bur  do  you  go  on  alfo  toward  your  full  confum- 
mation  of  blifs!  there  is  ftill much  behind!  reach 
forth  unto  the  whole  mind  which  is  inChrift ;  till 
you  have  gi^wn  up  into  him  your  living  head  in  all 
things. 

I  give  God  thanks,  that  he  does  make  tl;ie  bar- 
ren wildernefs,  a  garden  of  Eden  unto  you.  B^ 
hold  the  holy  Jefus  !  fee  he  holds  out  for  you  the 
crown  of  righteoufnefs,  which  e'er  long  youi'  Lord 
will  give  you  <  he  full  poiTeflion  of !  O  that  we  may 
both  meet  in  thofe  realms  of  blifs !  this  is  the  un- 
feigned p  raver  "o}  '.  V  -^ 

Your  affeclion ate  Sifter,  in  Chrifk. 

LE  T  T  E  R        L. 


I 


My  Dear  Sifter, 


RFTURN  you  hearty  thanks  for  yours: 
and  it  is  matter  of  praife  that  our  dear  Jefus  made 
you  ufeful  unto  any  one  foul,  and  that  his  gofpel 
is  likely  to  .tak,^^lace  fin  that  barren  town. 

I  blbfi^^^t^mtJldr  carrying  on  his  work  in  my 
foul.  OriJi^CjuiJwMJIfcLe  fifth  inftant,  the  Lord  did 
manifeft  hfmfelf  ilfrtf  me  in  fuch  a  manner  i\s  I  ne- 
ver experienced  before :  it  app«^ed  to  me  as  if  I  had 
been  taken  up  into  heaveni^'and  the  fpirit  peculi- 
arly opened  the  fcripttir€s  -  unto  me.  My  heart 
was  abundantly  jSlied  :v.ith  peace,  and  love  and 
praife.  'IJ^efc  words  were  powerfully  impreft  up- 
on my  mindi  **  I  will  water  thee  every  moment, 

,    4  4  ""'' 


[     io6     ] 

nntl  keep  ihee  niglit  and  day."  And  indeed  from 
that  time  mv  foul  has  been  as  a  watered  garden  : 
the  Lord  has  broke  down  the  Avail  of  partiiion 
which  ftood  between  my  foul  and  him;  all  that 
day  I  could  tru'y  lay  there  was  nothing  flocd  be- 
tween Gi  d  and  my  believing  heart,  for  i  {,\w  the 
Lord,  as  it  had  been  face  to  face.  Ever  lincc  I 
find  that  the  Lord  has  fubdued  all  things  in  me, 
unto  himfelf  O  that  he  may  deftroy  all  that  is, 
or  ever  would  be  capable  of  offending  him,  and 
I  truft  he  will.  I  find  Christ  exceeding  preci- 
ous to  my  foul.  In  evei  y  action  I  can  fay,  1  do 
this  unto  t\\Q  LojLD  :  evil  has  not  any  power  to 
hurt  me,  it  would,  but  grace  is  lliperior,  and 
Jesus  is  love. 

I  find  much  happinefs  at  this  time,  and  a  wiU 
hngnefs,  that  God  Ihould  blefs  every  foul  b-jfore 
me,  if  it  fcemcth  good  in  his  fight.  Not  that  I 
can  be  in  the  leaft  contented  without  any  of  the 
blelUngs  he  h.th  to  give  :  all  my  cry  is,  let  the 
liORD  be  glorified,  and  ir.y  J):;<us  exalted,  and 
I  aik  n3. iiiGre.  In  a  low  degree  I  can  fay,  thy  will 
be  done.  And  I  do  fleadfaftly  believe  it  will  not 
be  long  before  he  will  bring  my  foul  into  the  per- 
fect liberty  of  his  children.  Bear  me  on  your 
heart,  up  to  iv.y  dear  Redeen^er's  tlirone.  God 
has  anfrvirred  ever .  pray  r,  but  tha:  for  purity  of 
heart,  and  he  will  furely  anfv/er  that,  Lord  1  do 
believe,  help  my  unbelief. 

'Glory  be  to  God  only,  for  it  is  he  who  hiih 
trod  'he  xvine-prefs  alone,  it  is  tlfe  Loud  of  holts, 
the  great  J^hovah^v'  the  Alr.i^hiy  God,  the 
I'rince  of  i^eace,  ^at  al  ne  can.  do  this  thing. 
LokD  thy  arm  alone  can  bring  fnkation !  O  let 
the  angel  of  the  covenant  dcfcend,*  and  roll  aWajr 
tlie  ftonc  of  unbeliei-',  and  let  rffc  behold  a  riling 
God  in  mv  heart;  il\?x  when  the  fui  of  Ifracl,  and 


Pr 


[     i-7     3 

of  Jiidili  is  fought  for,    it  may  not  be   found. 

Lox^vD  fiy   amen  to  my  hearty  prayer.     Help  me 

Saviour,  fpeak  the  word,  and  perfect  me  in  love. 

My  dear   friend,   go  forward,   I  blefs  Go'^,  for 

wliat  you  arc,  , and  what  you    do.     Lovejisus 

}  et  more   abundantly,    f  .r    he   is   altogether  iov.lw 

J^ec  he  offers   you  a  whole  eternity  of  love.     He 

has  made)  (11  a  royn'  dade-n,  a  crovjii  of    ir/orv    in 

his  hand,      W,  has  nun-ber'  d  yon  amon;T  the  happy 

few,    who    h:ivj  wa'hed  and  made  their  gannenrs 

white  in    the  blood  of  the  lamb,  and    who   iliail 

walk    with    him   in    white,   being   wor.hy.      You 

have  thus    far  overcome,   hold  on   a  little  longei", 

anvj   you  v.  ill  lit  down  v/ich  oar  dear  llEDiiVMHR 

on  his  exalted,    ^^\\\    blifful   throne!     the    Loiii> 

give  you  all*  the  nnnd  which  is  in  liiirife.h  miJi  '^u- 

\     r:J\  v'yn,    e-7'en  as  ///'  //  'i/re. 

I  am  your  inviolable  Friend, 

and  humble  Servant. 

L  E  T  T  E  R     LI. 

Mv  dear  Friend,  Feb.  20th,   1761. 

OM  Tuefdav  laft  we  had  a  h'nppy  meeting,  the 
power  of  the  Lord  was  inoft  amazingly 
prelent:  lie  did  indeed  iit  on  my  foul,  r/  a  rrfi- 
tier''s  fire,  and  vjas  vnt-)  me  as  fu.  ers  foaf),  I  was 
afTiired  he  was  deftro;  ing  the  man  of  i\n. 

On  Wednefday  f  wept  tears  of  love  and  joy, 
moft  of  the  d  :y :  and  in  the  evening  I  feemed  ftript 
ot  a'l  felf  fufticienc; ,  and  felf-willj  and  felt  fuch 
propenlity  in  my  foid  to  cling  to  Christ,  that 
1  cou  d  cO:nparc  myfelf  unto  nothing,  more  fitly, 
th'.<n  a  drov.ming  man,  v/ho  catches  at  every  twig 
in  his  reacli. 

On 


!    los   ] 

On  ThuiTday  mcrning  as  a  few  of  us  were  at 
prr.yer,  I  felt  my  foul  emptied  of  whatever  defiled 
and  burdened  it,  and  a  cliange  palled  upcn  all  its 
powers,  then  i  rejoiced  treatly  in  the  Lord,  but 
I  could  not  fay  I  had  a  clean  heart.  Yet  I  believe 
I  lliall  never  rrore  feel  thofe  evil  tempers  in  my 
foul,  which  in  times  paft  kapve  had  a  being  in  it. 
Since  then  at  times  it  has  feemcd  to  me,  as  if  I 
had  been  furrouojied  with  the  powers  ot'darknefs, 
yet  though,  in  tflis  fenfe,  in  floods  of  temptarion, 
I  find  power  to^ruft  God,  and  caft  myfelF  upon 
him.  1  havarffiad  at  fome  times  iiiore  happinefs 
and  meltings  of  heart  from  infudons  of  love,  than 
I  have  had  thefe  few  days ;  but  I  think  thefe  have 
been  abated  by  the  pain,  1  felt  from  the  furround- 
ing  temptations  I  juft  mentioned.  I  have  furely 
tailed  of  my  Lord's  cup.  it  frcms,  as  if  my  Sa- 
viour has  given  n:e  an  eftate,  but  has  not  yet  put 
me  in  full  pofTeflion  of  it.  J  cannot  think  my  foul 
has  yet  entered  into  the  fulleft  reft  which  remains 
Jor  the  chi  dren  oj  God  on  earth.  I  cannot  yet  rejoice 
ever  morey  pray  vJithout  ceafm;  and  in  every  thing 
give  thanks."  Yet  1  do  fay,  thy  vuiU,  O  Lord,  be 
don'-,  I caft  my  foul  en  Jefus,  and  though  I  have 
fometimes  queftioned  myfelf,  whether  1  was  not 
angry,  or  provid,  }  et  upon  the  moft  fo  lemn  ap- 
proaches unto  the  throne  of  grace,  and  the  moft 
unfeigned  defires  offered  up  to  God,  to  fhew  me 
how  it  was,  1  cannot  find,  that  in  thefe  inftances 
he  doth  condemn  me,  though  the  devil  doth. 
Saturday  Evening. 

Glo  y  I  Glory !  Glory !  be  to  my  God,  I  can 
now  fay  the  T>ord  haseftablifiied  my  foul  in  his 
grace  and  favour  more  abundantly  than  ever! 
While  I  was  converfing  with  one  of  m  friends 
upon  the  deep  things  of  Grd,  and  excelle -t  pri- 
vileges of  the  gofpel,  I  was  ftrengthencd  to  beheve 

the 


C  109  3 
tlic  great  and  precious  promlfes,  and  felt  the  viv  , 
tue  01*1110111,  or  had  them  acco  .  pHIhed  in  my  foul. 
In  our  little  meeting,  one  alktd  me  if  God  had 
fulfilled,  that  bleffed  promife  unto  mc,  Ezek. 
xxxvi.  26.  J  neiv  fieart  ixjiIl  I  give  you.  i  durft 
not,  could  not  fay  but  he  had.  While  we  were 
at  prayer  I  was  ftill  farther  co  'vinced  cf  the  truth 
thereof.  I  could  appeal  unto  my  dear  Redeemer : 
%hou  hufl  c^eanjed  my  heart  i  That  blefl'ed  pro- 
mife was  powerfully  and  fweetly  applied  to  my 
ioyous  foul.  1  e  are  c  ean  through  tie  -word  ix^hich  I 
have  fpoken  unto  you.  And  ever  fmc£  I  have  been 
enabled  to  rejoice  greatly.  O  bleffed  Jeius,  he  is 
a  precious  Saviour  1  Blefs  the  Lcra,  O  ny  ful^ 
and  all  that  is  vjithin  nu^^hefs  his  holy  nam^y'who  rr- 
deemeth.  thy  life  from  dejiru^tnn,  and  croivneth  thee 
vjith  loving  kindnejfesy  and  tender  mercies  :  wfiofor- 
giveth  all  thine  iniquities  and  heilth  all  thy  dif- 
€'Jes,  The  good  Lord  is  alfo  greatly  pouring  his 
f^^irit  upon  many  of  your  friends  and  mme.  They 
are  on  the  full  ftretch  to  eternal  life.  O  what 
glorious  gofpel  days  do  we  live  in  I  May  our  lives 
be  fpent  in  praife  and  obedience,  may  our  latter 
end  be  full  of  peace  and  triumph,  and  our  eter- 
nity Iplifsfui.  lo  prays 
Your  affectionate,  but  unworthy  Sifter  in  Chrift. 

LETTER        LII, 
My  dear  Friend,  Feb.  28th,  1761. 


I 


Have  nor  King  to   tell  you,  but  more  and  more 
of  the   goodnefsof  Ood!  amazed  I  ftand  !  O  won- 
drous love!  my   foul  lies  humbled  in  the  duft!  T 
can  truly  fay  I  think  mylelf  the  meaneft  of  alls 
'        L  'but 


[  no  :i 

bur  Jefus  has,  (in  mc)deftroycd  th^  works  o^  the 
devil,  and  brought  in  everlafting  righteoU fricfs, 
and  the  effects  thereof  are  quietp.efs,  and  alTurance 
forever. 

At  our  meeting  to  day  the  mighty  power  of  God 
overwhelmed   us!    Sifter  K.    funk  down   in  her 
chair  and  then  fell  to  the  ground,  (drying,  "  Lord 
this  day  feal  me  thine  abode  for  everi  Dcftroy 
my  enemies  for  they  are  thine  alfo.  O  come  I^crd 
Jefus!  furely  thou  wilt  come,  and  wilt  not  tarry. 
We  then  kneeled  down  to  prayer  ;  Ihe  continued 
ftill  to  call  on  God  with  all  her  might  for  fome 
time,    till  the  Jiord   heard  and   anfwered.     She 
then  faid  "  praife  God  for  mc,  he  hath  fealcd  mc 
'*  to  the  day  of  redemption!  The  Saviour  has 
*^  made  mc,  all  glorion  nithiny  my  name  is  writ* 
**  ten   in   the  Lamh'' s   book  of  life,    ahd   his    name 
*'  /■/    zjuritten  on  my  forehead  f    I  npi  the  bride  y  the 
"  Lavtb*s  wife  /  O  my  Chrift !  Lord  !  I  the  vileft  of 
*^  all,   but  thou  haft  blotted  out  all  ray  fins!   O 
**  thy  great  power !  I  never  did  any  thing  but  fin 
**  againft  thee?  till  nt)w,  but  1  flvail  do  thy  will,    f 
*^  (liall  now  glorify  thee  in  all  ihings !  Lord  !  favc 
'*  all  my  friends,  I  Lord  fave  all  the  world  I 

My  foul  was  truly  affefted  with  this,  and  furtk 
down  into  deep  humility  before  God.  I  faid. 
Lord,  how  haft  thou  raifed  up  unto  thyfelf,  chil- 
dren even  of  thefe  ftones !  O  that  I  fliould  be 
a  witnefs  of  thy  love!  indeed  my  foul  ftands 
amazed!  four  in  one  houfc,  who  know  Jsfus,  and 
the  full  power  of  his  refurreclion  !  O  that  we  may 
adorn  the  gofpel  in  all  ihings,  and  be  fully  like- 
our  mafter,  in  meeknefs,  and  lowlinefs  of  heart. 
I  fee  at  a  diftance,  there  is  fuch  a  height  and  depth 
in  his  love,  unto  which  I  have  not  attained,  thijif 
it  makes  me  long  to  improve  in  every  circum- 
ftance,  and  thirft  for  more  of  that  mind  which  is 

in 


[  I"  3 

in  Chrift:  even  for  perfe*^  holiners  as  much  a* 
ever  I  did  for  freedom  from  evil  tempers. 

1  frequeutly  feel  a  painful  fympathy  with  thofc 
fouls  which  ai*e    awakened,  but  not  joined  unto 
CliKll  by  one  fpirit.     And  fuch  a  love    to  all  the 
ni embers  of  his  myfiical  body,  that  I  think  I  could 
willingly  lay  down  my  life  for  their  faktsto  bring 
one  of  them  to  the  knowledge  cf  Jefus.     My  foul 
is  perfectly  refigned  unto  the  will  of  God,  though 
1  feel  the  ftrongeft  defire  to  depart,  and  to  be  witli 
him,  whom  my  foul  loveth.    1  fee  b  y  faith  a  crown 
of  glory  held  forth  unto  me,  and  the  l.ord  bid  rrc 
fight  for  it,  and  afTures  me  of  a  conquell  overall 
that  fhall  oppofc  me.     I  am  like  a  new  born  babe 
hanging  every  moment  on  him  in  whom  my  great 
ftrength  iicth.     Satan  is  continually  tempting  me, 
but  1  fee  clearly  when  he  apprcacheth  to  bring  the 
temptation,  the  door  of  my  heart  is  Ihut,  and  the 
enemv  cannot  enter  in.     1  alfo  difcover,  as  the 
(bul  grows  in, grace,  it  gets  farther  put  of  the  ene- 
mys  rqach.    jMy  foot  is  fet  on   fatan's  neck,  and 
falvationis  appointed  for   walls   and  bulwarks.     O 
that  I  may  ever  ftand  on  an  high   hill,  and  have 
(as  you  exprefs  it)  my  eiiemies,  as  crawling  infecla 
at  the  bottom  thereofi     I  defire  to    fol'ow   your 
advice  and  leani.of  all  who  are  taught  of  God,  and 
are  fimple  of  heart.     When  any   doubt  arifes  in 
niy  mind,  whether,  fuch  a  thought  or  word,  or 
action,  w^s  iinfulj  forafpeedy,  and  fure  folution 
of  this,  I  turn  from  all  things,  unto  God,  and  de- 
fire  hira  to  Ihine   upon   my  underftanding,    and 
confcieace,  and  convmce  me  truly  of  what  qua- 
lity my  actions  are,  and  what  fpirit  I  am  of;  and 
he  has  always  gracioufly  anfwered  to  the  great  fa- 
tisfadion  of  my  foul.    ,  ., 

*   On  Saturday  at  morning  preaching,    I  was  t^l-; 
ling  ihe  Lor;l  »tl\at  thejce  was  nothing  but  what'!' 
L  2  weiild 


[112] 

would  willingly  give  up  for  him  ;  I  had  a  (Irong  im- 
preilion  that  fo  it  uas,  for,  the  fpirit  fimgcftcd, 
•*  ihoii  hafl  given  me  all,  for  then  haft  given  me 
**  thy  whole  heart."  It  was  alfo  rrp|)jied  lo  my 
mind  in  the  morning,  crife^  fime,  for  ihy  light  is 
come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  »  rtfen  upon  thee. 
Lord!  what  am  I!  I  am  ncrhing  ;  but  thou  att 
all  in  all. 

I  am  very   glad,  that  God  gives  you  to  drink 
into  his  loving  fpirit,    and  that'  you   rife  higher; 
^nd  higher  into  his  Hfe  and  likerTefs.  ,   O  m\  dear, 
lie  has  abundantly  more  to  beftow  f  'let  us  join  in 
blefling  and  praifing    our  dear  Jefiis,  ?.nd  meet  at 
fome  hour  in   the  day,  at  the  thrbne  of  grace. 
Glcry    be  to  God,  wc  fliall  meet,  e*cr  long  at  his 
right  hand,  and   fee   his  lovely  face,    without  a 
dimming  vail;  we  ihall  join  that  enraptured  num- 
ber,   wiiich   came   out'  of    great  'tribulationsy    and 
wajjjsd  and  made  the/r    rohe'i  white    in   the'bhod  of 
the  Lamb. '   We  fhaU'caft  oef  q'owps   ^lot^    his 
feet,  and  afcribe,  fdvarioiri  ^glo'rj'^,'  hoilbiir,   and 
pruife  to  God,  and  the  Lamb  for 'ever!  Precious 
Saviour!   O  how  rich,  that  grate  which  is*  fo' free- 
ly bcftowed  j  how  amazing  that  love,   which  in- 
duced  him  to  leave  the  bofom  of  his  father,  and 
^mpty  hirnfelf  ti^  his  glorj^,  yez?,  and-  fuffer  death, 
€vert  the  death  of  the  c/ofs,'  that  Wt,  Tile  creatures', 
mi'ght  '  be   brought  Ihtd^'  the  fa\^iir,  'and   retlored 
unto  the  irpage  of  G6d!''U  t^hat  wdinay  both  love 
him  more  abundantly,  until  weVife  to  all  the  glo- 
rious height  of  humble  love.     And   what  will  be 
the    end  ?  O  rapturous  profpeSlf'  Vbrr//^//9w,  ttW 
fut  en  incorrupt icn^  ^and^fhls  morjii!^  'iviltput  clni^- 
mortality,    and    prAyef    ll^ai^'bie   fw^allbwed  Uj?'^tof 
praife!     then  Will   all   be  .  unfading,  Aever ':e'n^*;fe 
blifi  :  forrow  an'^Tighrn^  fhafl,  ftee^^  and 

temptations  be 'flo'i^o're'l  'tiie'V.earI;or'd  Jef^^ 


near 


C  "3  ] 
near  to  your,  heart,  and    make    you    faithful    and 
fruitful;  holy, and  happy.j    then  will  your  ftate  be 
fuch  as  is  wifhed,  by 

Your  ever  loving,    but  unworthy  Sifter. 

LETTER    LIII. 


I 


My  very  dear  Brother,  March  lo,  1761, 


Hope  we  are  both  agreed  with  Chrift,  accord- 
ing to  the  articles  of  peace  propounded  to  us  in  a 
preached  gofpel.  We  have  made  him  our  foun- 
dation, aTid-£ity  of  refuge  ;  in  whom  we  have  re^ 
demption  through  his  blood,  the  forgivenefs  of  fins, 
acccrding  to  the  excellency  and  riches  of  his  free, 
grace,  wherein  he  hath  abounded  unto  us,  and  all 
who  believe,  on  his  blelFed  name. 

Nov/  what  prudemial  means  fhall  we  ufe  In  or- 
der to  grow  in  this  divine  knowledge  ?  as  you  are 
better  Ikilled  in  this  happy  art,  and  further  advanc-^ 
cd  in  grace,  and  <;hriftian  holinefs,  f  think  you 
fliould  point  out  thofe  means  by  which  you  attain- 
ed-the  p'tarl  of  pcrfe6i:  love;  and  by  grace  Iwil' isB** 
low  your  dire6ttons.  But  as  you  aiked  the  queill*^^ 
I  will  venture  to  give  you  my  opinion. 
.  Firft,  1  defire  to  hear,  read,  mark,  learn,  an^ 
with  a  good  fpiritual  apoflle  inwardiy  digelf, 
God's  mod  holy  word,  and  make  it  a  Handing  rule 
in  all  refpefts,  0/ my  ;faith  and  pra6lite.    .,  <        -^ 

Secondly,  I  cltfir^-to  pray,  with  all  prayer,,  pri-* 
vate  iand  public,  mental  a^nd  vocal,  at  all  time^, 
and  in  ^v^ry  place,  and  if)  tvepy  ftate,  and  circunj- 
flance  of  life  :  and  alfo  make  my  Maker's  law  th^ 
fubje6tof  my  rneditations  in  tho^aight  feafon  upo» 
mv  bed. 

L  3  Thirdly, 


[  i.-i5|  ] 

Thirdly,  I.defire  to  fail,  or  ufe  abftlnenee^  aa, 
my  bodily  hcalih  and  cbnftitutioi?  will  admit. '  "'   ';j 

Fourthly,  I  defire  to  communicate  at  all  proper 
fe-ifons,  but  earneftly  long  for  fan6tified  altars, 
holy  minifters,  and  living,,  communicants:  Lord 
how  long  ? 

Fifth' y,  I  defire  to<Jo  good  unto  all  men,  friends 
and  enemies,  according  to  my  little  ability  as  the 
word  of  truth  direfts ;  and  lay  out-  my  ftrength  in 
liis  fervice  at  home  and  abroad,  in  the  way  and 
manner  he  IhalT  point  out,  according  to  his  uner- 
ring^ providence. 

JSlxthly,  I  dcfire  to  hew  Agag  in  pieces;  to  put 
away  every  Dalilah,  arid  to  facrifice  every  Ifaac  : 
If  required,  to  pluck  out  every  right  eye,  to  cut 
off  every  right  hand,  to  fpare  none,  though  ever 
fo  near  and  dear  unto  the  old  man:  and  I  hope  all 
this  without  partiality.  In  a  word,  I  defire  to  put 
on  the  whole  divine  panoply,  whereby  I  fliall  over- 
come all  the  infernal  powers  of  hell  and  death:  and 
after  I  have  done  all  this,  I  defire  to  look  over, 
and  through  all  fhadows,  unto  the  eternal  Saviour, 
who  died  on  mount  Calvary,  with  all  the  faith  he 
has  given  mc,  till  I  be  rooted,  and  grounded  in  love^ 
and  able  to  comprehend  ivitfi  all  faints  what  is  the 
breadth,  and  lengthy  and' depth,  and  height-,  and  to 
know  the  love  of  Chriji  'which pajjeth  knoivledge ;  that 
I  may  be  filled  with  all  the  fiillnefs  of  God,  What  can 
a  worm  do  more  to  gain  the  prize  ?  limy  friend  will 
itake  notice  of  any  means' I  hlive  omitted,  or  ihew 
me  better  than  I  have  mien ti6ne<l,  1  wjll;com-pIy 
with  his  dire6tions.  I  want  to  fave  my  foul,  and 
that  God's  own  way.  I  have  already  feen  his  v/on- 
ders  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  in  the  red  fea,  and  in 
the  barren  wildernefsi  and  IhaHInot  fee  his  glory 


[  ir5  ] 
in  the  land  of   prcnjlfel  I  cannot  fear!   his  mercy 
endureth  forever! 

I  remain  your  affefiionate  Friend, 

but  very  unworthy  Brother. 

LETTER        LIV. 

My  dear  Friend,  Feb.  aSth,  1761. 

IVX  AY  grace,  mercy  and  peace,  be  multipli-. 
ed  unto  you  from  God,  and  our  Lord  Jefus  ChriiT: ; 
who  is  the  fountain  and  foundation  of  all  cur  blef- 
fings.  Ohl  how  highly  favoured  are  we!  Gcd's 
image  ftamped  on  duft !  when  lofl,  redeemed  by 
the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  now  fupported 
by  his  glorious  love  !  O  that  we  may  never  live  bc- 
lieath  our  privileges ! 

"  Raife  our  groveling  fpirits  up, 
**  To  our  calling's  glorious  hope*" 

My  foul  lieth  in  the  dufl  before  him,  in  whofc 
fight  angels  veil  their  faces.  1  prove  that  the  Lord 
delights  in  thofe  who  are  of  an  humble  fpirit.  I 
fmk  into  nothing  in  my  own  efteem,  more'  and 
more,  as  I  draw  nearer  to  God,  and  become  moce 
like  birh.  My  dear  friend  help  me  by  your  pray^ 
e'rs.  1  fincertly  thank  youy  and  God  my  Saviour, 
for  the  ufeyou  have  already  been  of  to  me  :  my  God 
fhall  reward  you  feven  fold  for  all  your  kindnefs 
tome.'   .'     /  ,n' 

'  Oil!  that  death  may  be  written  in  large  cha- 
ra£^ers  on  every  creature,yea  on.  a  11  cteated  good  in 
this  world,  that  we  may  even  now  anticipa  te  the  hap- 
pinefs  of  the  next,  and  partake  of  the  blifs  of  thofe 

who 


[1.6] 

who  are  before  the  throne  of  God,  and  feive  him 
day  and  night. 

I  have  fuund  a  da  ly  trofs  fince  I  came  unto  this 
place,  tVom  a  cjuarter  I  lend  expe6ted  It,  but  it 
has  been  a  greater  blciTing  to  me,  than  I  can  con- 
ceive (be  want  of  it  could  have  been:  fo  that  I 
have  had  true  rcil:,  and  more  of  the  loving  power- 
ful prefence   of  God,  than  for  feme  time  before. 

0  let  us  praife  the  Lord  with  every  breath.^ 

I  doubt  not  btrt  my  dear  friend  has  had  much 
ccmniunion  witji  Jefus,  fmcc  v^e  parted.  Is  be 
not  fairer  than  af]  the  children  of  men ?  Yes:  he 
is  ah'jgether  lovciy  / 

My  defire  and  prayer  to  God  for  you  is,  that 
you  may  fihk  deeper  into  him,  and  ilill  be  fefs  in  your 
own  eftecm:  and  be  fi'kd  with  the  trueft  teiider- 
nefs  and  long-fiiifering  to  all  the  children  of  God, 
yea  all  the  children  of  men.     Oiir  meeting  again, 

1  hope  will  be  to  our  advantage ;   till  then  may  the 
God  of  peace  be  with  you. 

I  am  your  affectionate,  &c. 

LETTER        LV. 


I 


My  dear  Friend,  May  2,  1760. 


Heartily  thank  you  for  your  profitable  letter,  it 
has  been  of  fingular  ufe,and  great  comfort  to  my  foul, 
I  fee  the  more  I  have  of  the  prefence  oF  God,  and 
the  more  I  defire  to  have :  the  more  I  fee  of  his 
goodnefs,  and  lefs  I  think  of  my  own,  which  hum* 
bles  me  to  the  dull  before  him,  while  I  am  loft  in 
wonder,  filled  with  love,  and  tears  of  joy.  If  bu- 
finefs  calls  me  in  the  midft  of  this  fweet  and  blefled 
communion  with  my  dear  Saviour,  which  is  often 

the 


[  >I7] 

the  cafe,  I  leave  you  to  judge  how  difagrcep.bk 
company  is  at  fucha  time,  yet  even  then  I  tccl  my 
will  entirely  refigned  to  that  wiiich.is  my  duty  ;  I 
cart  all  my  care  on  him,  who  caieth  for  me,  and 
I  find  him  all-fufficicnt,  a  prefent  help  in  time  of 
need. 

1  have  not  always  the  fame  degree  of  joy,  for  at; 
fometimes  1  fcei  all  my  foul  carried  unto,  and  cen- 
tered in  God,  that  )  am  wrapt  up  in  hb  embrace ; 
but  at  other  times  1  hang  a  dependant  creature  up- 
on him,  and  fay  in  myfelf,  it  is  a  thoufand  tines 
more  than  I  defcrve,  that  I  can  now  call  God 
my  father  and  my  love.     ■ 

When  uews  came  that  you  was  dead,  I  thought 
what  can  I  want  for  him  v/hichhe  now  hath  nor, 
or  for  myfeli,  but  that  I  may  be  like  him.  I 
couid  not  indeed  think  it  a  crime  to  droo  -n  in- 
debted tear  for  one  God  had  made  fo  ufeful  to 
my  foul. 

Hut  bleffed  be  God  you  are  fpared  a  little 
longer :  and  afk  the  unworthieA  of  human  crea- 
tures :  *'  teil  me,  when  faw  you  him  whom  my 
foul  loveth."  He  is  prefent  with  me,  my  dear 
friend,  whom  your  foul  loveih.  I  fhould  think 
myfelf  the  moft  miferable  wretch  living,  even  in: 
the  midil  of  the  greateil  conduence  of  worldly 
bleffings,  if  he  was  abfent  for  one  hour. 
t:  .  **  O  !  'tis  hell  from  thee  to  part, 
Prefs  me  clofer  to  thy  heart !" 

And  I  thank  the  God  of  my  life  and  falvation,  I 
can  anfwer  to  your  other  enquiry  withfatisfa^Ttion, 
**  Do  you  grow  in  grace  ?"  I  believe  I  do.  But 
O  Lord,  give  me,  give  me  to  grow  more  abundant- 
ly like  unto  thy  blcfled  fclf. 

Pray  for  me,  and  if  I  may  not  fee  you,  write  to 
me  as  often  and  as  plain  as  you  can.  God  blefs. 
you.,  farewell. 

I  am,   &;c. 

L    E     T- 


tn8  1 

LETTER       LVI. 

My  dear  Brother,  Feb.  9,  1760, 

VV  HOM,  for  Chrift's  fake,  I  love,  and 
cfteera,  wifhing  grace,  mercy  and  peace,  may 
attend  you  all  your  days.  1  have  often  thought 
of  you  fince  I  had  the  happinefs  to  fee  you  ;  and 
I  hope  you  have  not  forgot  poor  me,  who  am 
lefs  tlian  the  Icaft  of  all  faints.  You  knew  when 
I  was  with  you,  my  weaknefs,  and  the  many 
trials  I  laboured  under.  'lis  true,  I  have 
changed  my  place,  but  1  have  not  changed  my 
company.  I  ftil!  carry  my  wicked  heart  about 
with  me,  which  I  find  to  be  deceitful  above 
expreiSon,  and  defjierately  wicked  beyond  com-- 
parifon  :  the  devil,  and  it,  are  caudng  me  con- 
tinual troube  :  I  groan,  being  burdened.  Oh  ! 
t-liat  Jefus  would  foon  end  this  war  within.  Ncv^r 
did  chafed  hart  pant  more  eager'y  for  the  cooling 
ftream,  than  my  weary  foul  for  the  perfect  liber- 
ty of  the  children  of  God.  Hope  deferred,  makes 
the  heart  fick.  Oh !  what-  a  happy  moment^ 
would  that  be,  when  I  fhould  be  able  to  fay,  I  li^ 
no  longer,  but  Chrift  liveth  in  me,  the  fole  mo-' 
narch  of  my  pure,  and  fimple  heart!  as  for  all 
other  things,  I  do  indeed  count  them  but  dune 
and  drofs,  fo  I  may  win  Chrift,  and  the  prize  of 
perfeO-  holinefs.  1  have  too  much  fought  water 
in  broken  cifterns,  I  nowdefirc  to  ^v>  to  the  foun- 
tain. I  count  money,  and  honours,  and  pleafures 
poor,  little,  empty,  infignificant  things:  a  dram 
of  grace  is  worth  a  thoufand  wjrlds.  Oh!  give 
me  grace,  I  alk  no  more. 

I  hope 


[  U9l 

I  hope  my  friend  is  going  on  tc^ards  pcrfeclion, 
fougetting  the  things  behind,  and  the  things  pre- 
fent,  which  would  alienate  his  mind  from  God, 
and  ftop  the  intercourfc  between  the  lovely  Jefiis, 
and  his  foul 

I  was  exceeding  glad  to  hear  the  comfortable 
account  you  gave  Mr.***,  of  the  fuccefs  of  the 
gofpel  in  that  part  of  the  vineyard  where  you  are 
labouring.  The  good  Lord  increafe  it  more  and 
more. 

I  am  entered  into  another  man's  labours  in  this 
place,  he  hath  prepared  the  way  before  me.  'i  he 
Redeemer  is  carrying  on  a  glorious  work  in  this 
city  :  you  would  be  pleafed  to  fee  what  a  large 
congregation  we  have ;  on  Sunday  evenings  it  is 
computed  there  are  four  thoufand  hearers,  and 
the  fociery  encreafes  weekly,  and  I  hope  th-le  arc 
but  the  beginnings  of  good  days. 

I  beg  you  would  pray  for  us,  that  in  all  things 
we  may  approve  ourfe;ves  the  miniiters  oF  Chrift, 
and  ftcwards  of  the  myfteries  of  God.  I  kindly 
thank  you  for  the  laft  advice  you  gave  me,  when 
you  hft  me  in  London,  and  i  thank  God  he  hath 
preferved  me  from  falling  into  the  temptation. 
1  hope  you  will  not  fait  to  pray  for  me  in  particu- 
lar 4  I  am  fure  I  do  love  and  pray  for  you,  who  am 
Your  afFe£tionatc  Brother,  &c, 

LETTER      LVIf. 

My  dear  Frieiid,  May  3 ,  r  ydo. 

A  HE  queftions  you   defire  mc  to   i^folve,  arc 
undoubtedly  rcfpeaing  one  of  the  mod  important 

aiTairs 


L    120  ] 

ifialrs  of  human  life;  and  therefore   deferves  a 
folid  confideration,  and  an  ingenuous  anfwer. 

I  ft,  "  Is  it  lawful  for  a  believer  to  many  with 
an  unbeliever  ? 

2d.  "  Is  it  expedient  for  a  believer  to  marrv 
with  one  of  a  different  opinion  in  religion,  and 
v.ho  worfliips  God  in  a  different  place  and  mode 
though  a  child  of  God." 

With  regard  to  the  firft  :  let  it  be  carefully 
obferved  that  nothing  can  be  lawful  whi.h  God 
has  dire£lly  or  indirectly  for'jidden  :  now  I  can- 
not conceive  but  he  hath  forbidden  this  :  be  not 
unequally  yoked  together  with  unbelievers,  there- 
fore it  is  unlawfu".  7  he  firft  propofiti:  n  will  be 
grarted.  If  it  is  faid  with  refpect  to  the  fecond, 
that  the  spoftle  only  forbids  chriftians  to  marry 
with  heathens,  and  his  words  afiecl  not  thr 
prefent  cafe.  It  niay  be  anfwered  they  do  affeCl 
the  prefent  cafe  notwithftanding :  fcM"  there  can 
be  no  real,  and  fpecific  difference  between  an 
unconverted  perfon,  though  baptized  in  the  name 
of  Chrift ;  and  an  heathen  The  difference  can 
only  be  in  the  name,  and  external  things, 
which  change  not  their  nature  and  difpofition,  . 
nor  their  real  chari£ler  with  God,  whojudgeth 
not  according  to  appearance,  but  according  to 
the  heart  Is  an  heathen  an  enemy  to  God  6y 
wicked  works  ?  So  is  an  unconverted  cbriftian. 
Is  an  heathen  an  idolater  ?  So  is  an  unbelieving 
chriftian.  He  is  either  covetous,  or  a  lover  of 
pleafurCj  both  which  are  idolatry.  The  heathen, 
and  the  merely  nominal  chriftian,  a<ft  both  from 
the  lame  principles,  and  with  the  fame  Intemions. 
Whereas  there  is  a  real  and  fpecific  difference 
between  a  child  of  God,  and  a  child  of  fatan*; 
th^  former  is  a  partaker  of  the  divine  nature, 
2  Peteni.  J.      Has  the  Holy  Ghoft  abiding  within 

him. 


C  lit  ] 

/mi.     John  xiv.  17.     i  Cor.  ii.  IQ,     And  Rom. 

vili    16.     His  body  is  a  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghoft, 

.md  God  dweileth  and  walketh  in  him.     2  Cor. 

vi.   16.     But  an  unconverted   perfon  with  ail    he 

reiinements  of  birth,  education,  and  the  'orm  of 

Todiineis,  is  at  enmity  with  God,  being  only  born 

ifcer   the  flefh,    for  the    carnal   mind  is  emriity 

gainft    God.     R.om.  viii.  7.     The  devil  worketh 

md  relgneth  in  his  heart.     Luke    11.  24.     Yt^a 

ulmrelf  iyeth  in  the  lame,  without   God   in  the 

T.^orld.     Eph  ii.  12.     Now  nothing  can  be   more 

certain  than  that  all  are  unlawfully  married,  whom 

God  does  not  join  together  :  and  can  we  think 

that  God  will  join  a  partaker  of  his  nature,  unto 

Due  polTefTed  of  the  devil,  orthatChrift  will  unite 

:>ne  of  the  membe-rs  of  his  myftical  body,  unto  a 

imb  of  fatan  ?     Can  any  thing  be  more  unhke- 

:y,  or   more  contrary  10  the  nature  and  wUdom 

of  God. 

Kefides   let  us  confider  t"he   evils  which   have 
followed   fuch    unequal    marriages,    both  in  the 
antient  and  modern   times,  and  we    may    ealily 
read  the  unlawfu'nefs  of  them  in  the  punifliments 
entailed  upon  them.     In  the  old  world  :  the  fons 
of   God:    i.  e.  the  pofterity  of   righteous   Seth; 
faw  the  daughters  of  men  ;  u  e.  the  defcendants  of 
wicked  Cain,  that  they  were  fair,  not  that  they 
were  pious ,  and  they  took  themfelves  wives  which 
the      chofe,    not    wliich    God    chofe    for   them: 
and  what  wiis  the  confequence  ?     Bv  and  by,  we 
read  of  an  uaiverfal  defe^ion  from   Gud,    and 
godlineis.      Gen.  vi.   5.  T//^«  God  faw  the  vjichd- 
nefs  of  man  'waf  great  in   the  earthy  and  a'i  th-  ijn.i-> 
ginations  of  th/r  thoughts  of  his  heart  rxjere  on^y  fv^l^ 
and  that  continually.     And  what  was  the  end  and 
ifliie  oi  al!  ?     An  un vr^a'  corruption,  brought  oa 
an  epidemical  defolatlon  :    God  deterraincs  to  '^e- 
M  ftroy 


[    122    ] 

ilroy  thofe  who  would  not  mortify  the  lufls  of  the 
flelli,  but  joined  themftlves  with  the  daugiiters  of 
Belial.  Therefore  the  Lord  f aid  1  will  dejiroy  from 
the  earth  the  men  which  I  have  created. 

Though  Sanapfon's  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of 
the  uncircumciled,  pleafed  him  hugely  for  a  time, 
yet  his  affections  were  fcon  alienated  from  her,  and 
what  was  the  end  thereof  I  need  not  inform  you. 
Judges  xix.  Mofes  himfelf,  fcarcely  efcaped  being 
ilain  of  the  Lord,  for  hearkening  unto  his  5vippo- 
rah,  and  deferring  the  ordinance  of  circumcifion. 
Exod.  iv.  24.  And  you  find  Solomon,  of  a  wife 
king,  become  an  apifh  dotard,  and  of  a  pious  wor- 
fhiper,  becomes  a  grols  idolator;  and  all  by  means 
of  ftrange  wives,     r  Kings,  xi.  4,    5. 

When  the  old  ferpcnt  is  in  the  heart  of  a  wife 
who  lyeth  in  your  bofom,  he  has  a  fair  opporlunity 
of  winding  himfelf  into  yours  alfo.  Faithful  Abra- 
ham had  fuch  a  fenfe  of  this  matter,  that  he  could 
not  die,  and  go  to  paradife  contentedly,  untjLJie 
made  his  fteward  take  an  oath  in  the  name  of  the 
God  of  the  whole  earth,  that  he  would  not  take  a 
virife  for  his  Ton  Ifaac,  of  the  Canainites  where  he 
dwelt,  bur  from  among  his  own  kindred.  Gen. 
x:xrv."3,  4.-     -      ^ 

How  very  few  indances  have  we  among  our- 
felves  in  the  prefent  day,  of  the  believing  hufband 
or  wife,"  converting  the  contrary  party;  bur  hv>w 
many  mciricholy  examples  haVe  we,  ot  the  unbe- 
lieving h'-ilhand  or  wife,  reconverting  the  other 
party  to  the  world  and  the  devil?  and  no  wonJer, 
that  ihti  ierpent,  and  Eve  twifted  togcthtr,  fhould 
be  a  cord  ftrong  enough,  to  draw  any  oi  Ad^-m's 
poftcrity  to. eat  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  as  it  d^d  ihcir 
father  :  neither  is  ifxo  be  wondered  at,  that  G(5d 
fhould  withold  his  bleiTings  from  matches  of  Satan's 

makiiig. 

I   therefore 


C  123  ] 

I  therefore  conclude  upcn  the  whole,  that  it  is 
far  from  being  lawful  for  a  believer  to  marry  with 
an  unbeliever;  and  therefore  to  be  avoided  by  all 
who  wcuid  efcape  the  difpl-afure  of  God,  and 
would  have  his  blefiing  upon  them  in  that  facred 
ftare. 

The  other  queftion  fhall  be  confidered,  but  not 
having  leifure  at^prefent,  1  mufl:  exercife  your  pa-* 
tience  till  the  next  poft. 

I  remain  your  affedionate  Brother,  ^c. 

LETTER       LVIIT. 

My  dear  Friend,  May  6,  1760. 

X  Suppofe  by  this  time  you  have  had  the  oppor- 
tunif)  of  p^rufingmylafl ;  butlam  at  an  uncertain- 
ty u^hat  your  fentiments  are  concerning  it,  yci  ne- 
vcrtiielcfs  sccordinsr  to  my  promife  I  will  give  you 
my  tlicughis  on  ycur  feccnd  enquiry. 

"  Is  it  expeditnt  for  a  believer  to  marry  with 
**    one  of  another  opinion  ?  6^c  " 

I  think  my  dear  friend,  not  in  any  wife  :  'tis 
granted  it  is  iawtul,  but  it  will  be  found  to  be  high- 
ly inexpedierit  in  thcfe  particulsrs. 

ift.  The  greateil:  part  of  tliat  fpiritua?  flrength 
and  cchiioit,  v/hith  ihoufd,  and  maybe  given  and 
receive  d  beiwf^en  a  chriflian  m;:n  and  his  wafe,  will 
be  loft,  and  a  foundation  laid  for  perpetual  jarrs 
and  difputes. 

Althouuh  there  may  be  difTerenc^  of  opinion  in 
a  nation  without  breach  of  charity,  yet  there 
fcarcely  can  be  diftVrence  of  opii.ion  between  man 
and  Wife,  without  f.lienation  of  affection.  And 
the  more  fuicere  either,  or  both  parlies  are, 
M  2  the 


[  124  1 
fhe  more  earned  they  will  be  to  have  their  cwn  ftn- 
timents  regarded.  Though  the  work  of  Cod  ibicr 
the  fubflance  of  it,  the  fame  in  the  minds  of  all 
men,  yet  it  is  not  eafy  to  fay,  what  a  difference, 
different  opinions  m?y  make  in  many  circrm- 
flances  of  it.  They  who  are  brc light  unto  God  by 
one  f}lUm  of  do6trine,  have  a  vein  of  enj(/)Eneni?, 
a  turn  of  experience,  Eind  a  method  of.  fpeaking 
peculiar  to  themfelves  ;  which  does  not  fo  exactly 
:-?ree  v/ith  zny  other.  And  what  sn  inconceiva- 
bfe  lofs  muff  it  be^  if  but  fome  part  cf  that  help, 
which  they  might  give  to  each  oiher,  is  wanting. 
Nothing  elfe  can  pollibly  make  op  their  lois.  if 
they  are  loving,  good  naiured,  and  gerercus  pec- 
]ie,  they  may  poffibly  live  together  without  out- 
rageous quarrels;  yet  alas,  this  is  but  a  little  mat- 
ter toward  that  good  they  ftiouid  do  to  one  anc- 
ihcr,   m  the  gieat  affair  of  their  falvaiion! 

V  you  was  to  form  an  iclea  of  the  happieft  cou- 
ple in  the  world,  you  would  conceive  them  to  be 
of  one  heart,  and  of  one  way  in  all  things,  if  pof- 
iible,  but  efpecially  in  the  matter  of  religion.  A 
want  of  this,  would  give  a  notion  of  their  want 
of  happinefs  in  each  other,  and  you  could  not  avoid 
thinking,  but  as  tar  as  ihey  were  wanting  in  agree- 
ment  in  their  opinion,  they  would  be  wanting  in 
their  feliciiy. 

2d.  Another  thing  which  makes  it  inexpedient 
is  an  hindrance  in  their  private  devotion.  Mutual 
prayer  is  m,off  prevalent.  1/ t'wo,  (fa)  s  our  Savi- 
our) of  you,  /hall  agree  on  earthy  as  touching  any 
thing  they  Jbali  ajk,  it  fhall  be  done  jor  them  of  my 
Father^  "vjhich  is  in  heaven.  Matt,  xviii.  19. 
But  hov/  much  of  the  energy,  and  profit  of  prayer 
will  be  loff,  when  perhaps  they  think  it  right-^nly 
to  pray  with  a  book,  and  the  other  judges  it  quite 

prcferible 


I 


C  125  ] 

preferable  to  piciy  as  the  fplrit  fhall  aiTtlT-,  and  give 
him  utterance.  How  uncomfortable  is  thi  disa- 
greement :  how  many  fweet  and  excellent  blef- 
fings  are  loft,  for  want  of  rtiutual  prayer.  It  is  a 
forry  condition  for  a  woman,  in  a  married  ftate, 
to  receive  httle,  or  no  beneSt  from  her  hufb'and's 
prayers  in  private:  would  not  every  woman  which 
makes  religion  her  bufmeis  and  happinefs  think  it 
the  greatetl:  lofs  fhe  could  fuftain  ?  and  the  difad- 
vantage  would  be  equally  great  on  the  man's  part. 

3d.  Again  ;  the  fame  inconveniences  would  alfo 
occur  in  tamily  as  in  ilcret  prayer.  7  here  would 
be  continual  hindcrances  to  the  performance  of  that 
duty,  without  which  every  family  muft  live  niifc- 
rably,  and  expofed  to  the  difpieafiire  of  God. 
Four  out  thy  fury  upon  the  heathen,  and  upon  the  fa" 
miiies^  which  caii  not  upon  thy  r,ame, 

4th.  Let  it  alfo  be  obferved,  how  uncomforta- 
ble ;ind  unfeemingly  it  would  be  in  public  worlfiip, 
for  the ""e  whom  God  hath  made  one  flefh,  and 
who  live  as  fuch  on  the  v/eek-day,  to  part  on. 
the;Sunday  :  and  as  fcon,  it  may  lie,  ,as  they  go 
out  at  I'hvi:  cwn  door,  to  their  public  devotion,  turn 
their  backband  go  different  ways.as  though  rhey  were 
utter  itrangefs  to  each  other.  Vfho  could  bear  the 
thoughts  c/this  ?  if  they  love  not  one  another  they 
a^-e  moft  wretchedly  miferable ;  if  they  do,  it  ren- 
ders this  reparation  more  difficult  ftill      But, 

5!:h.  What  muft  become  of  the  education  of  the 
children  ?  this  hereby,  w^lj  be  rendered  almoft  im- 
praaicable.  \{  theg|sire  both  of  them  cc^nfcienci- 
cus  in  their  profeffion,  they  will  be  loth  that  their, 
children  fhould  not  he  educated  .in  the  farap  way 
T/hich  they  judge  to  be  the  beft  in  the, world,  and 
in  which  they  place,  and  find  their  fupreme  happi- 
nefs. How  liard  will  it  be  for  a  tender  mother  to 
fee  her  children,  brou.2;ht  up,  before  her  eyes,  m'" 
ivi   3  a 


[    126] 

a  "wav  (he  difapproves  ?  and  will  it  not  be  equally 
hard  for  the  loving  and  obedient  wife,  to  thwart 
her  huftjand's  ccunfels  to  his  children,  and  caution 
them  againft  that,  unto  which  he  warmly  advifes 
them  ?  and  yet  one  of  thefe  (he  muft  do.  She  has 
but  this  alternative  either  to  difobVIge  her  hufband, 
or  offend  her  confcience.  It  will  be  equally  diffi- 
cult ta  the  hufband  to  fee  his  children  trained  up 
in  the  way  he  would  not  have  them  to  go ;  and 
yet  he  W)ll:  find  it  difficult  to  grieve  a  loving  and 
tender  wife.  So  that  between  the  two,  the  chil- 
dren will  remain  uneducated,  er  taught  in  their 
tender  age,  to  halt  between  two  opinions,  and  in 
their  advanced  years  have  no  religion  at  ?ll.  Thefe 
things  are  of  great  weight  with  me,  and  I  believe 
will  be  with  every  one  who  thinks  of  them.  They 
will  I  hope  ever  deter  me  from  taking  fo  indirect 
and  dangerous  a  ftep.  And  I  pray  God  they  may 
have  the  fame  weight  with  my  dear  friend.  I 
heartily  commend  you  to  the  providende  and  di- 
rection of  Almighty  God. 

While  I  remain  your  afFe£l.ionate  Brother,  &c. 

LETTER        LIX. 

My  dear  Friend,  June  14,  1760. 

_  Received  your  very  agreeable  letter  ;  it  was 
Eenj?.min*s  mefs  indeed,  and  ja  full  it  was  running 
over  when  ir  came  to  hand  ryet  I  believe  there 
was  not  any  lofl. 

The  lafi:,  and  the  former  favours  of  which  you 
ipeak,  and  for  which  you  fo  heartily  thank  God, 
and  rpc,  are,  in  my  eitcem  few  and  infignificant, 
the  reafon  of  this  is,  I  look   at  them  in  love, 

which 


I 


L  1^7  ] 
which  never  thhiks  it  does  enough,  and  you  look 
at  them  in  gratitude,  which  never  thinks  it  makes 
Sufficient  returns  :  both  are  bleflcd  difpofitions. 

That,  my  dear  friend,  is  the  happieft  way  ot 
deceiving  others  which  you  mention  ;  to  be  better 
in  reahty,  than  in  appearance. 

I  never  fear  you  being  habitually  unkind,  or 
ungrateful,  if  it  is  at  all  fo,  it  will  be  only  when 
you  are  more  fo  to  yourlelf,  by  groundlefs  reflec- 
tion, than  to  any  others. 

You  delire  me  to  help  you  all  I  can;  The 
love  I  have  for  your  foul)  together  with  my  own. 
interefl  in  doing  good,  are  motives  fufficient  to 
induce  mc  thereunto,  without  my  dear  friends 
felicitations.  Next  to  my  own  growth  in  grace,, 
and  perfonally  giving  glory  to  God,  nothing  is 
more  defired  by  me.  Nor  would  any  thing,  be- 
lides  the  enjoyment  of  God,  give  me  greater  hap- 
pinefs,  than  to  be  capable  of  doing,  it. 

*'  You  think  the  being  grieved,  when  thofe  you 
love,  behave  unkindly  to  you,  argues  a  de- 
(e£t  in  your  hoHnefs."  H  we  would  fee  this  in 
a  clear  light,  we  muft,  ift.  Enquire  into  the  na- 
ture of  the  unkindnefs,  2d.  Into  the  nature,  and 
degree  of  your  grief,  before  we  can  fay  whether 
it  argues  a  want  in,  or  is  a  branch  of  holinefs. 

If  the  ur.kindnefs  of  your  friend,  diihonours 
God,  brings  a  fcandal  upon  religion,  and  guilt 
upon  his  own  conlcience  ;  then  you  have  the 
dear  Redeemer  for  the  pattern  of  your  grief. 
lie  looked  round  about  on  them  ivith  anger ^  being 
grieved  for  the  hardnefs  of  the  r  hearts,  Mark  3.  5. 
But  if  it  only  efFe£ts  your  own  private  charadler, 
or  intereft,  or  efpecially  your  hiuuour  and  incli- 
nation ;  to  be  grieved  to  a  degree  of  unhappinefs, 
cannot  but  argue  want  of  relignation  to  the  will 
of  God.  For  fuch  an  unkindnefs  may  be  per- 
mitted 


L  128  ] 

niitted  by  God  Almighty  lorTomc  good  purpofe, 
to  yon,  and  ilioukl  not  only  •be  fubmitted  unto,- 
but  thankfully  cliofen.  2d,  If  the  nature,  and 
degree  of  your  griei*  is  only  fuch  as  as^ifes  .from 
that  fympathy  vim  have  with  your  friend,  and 
which  you  would  have  had  upon  the  coniide- 
r.uion  of  fo  ungenerous  an  adion  done  byhini  to 
any  other,  you  could  not  be  without  this  giM'ef, 
but  you  miifi  be  without  an  hatred  to  Cm,  a-rid  af- 
fection to  the  {inner,  which  wjll  not  confilt  with 
holinefs. 

But  if  it  greatly  wounds  your  quiet,diO-urbsyour 
peace  and  hinders  your  enjoyment  ot  God;  it  ar- 
gues too  great  an  attachment  unto,  and,  it  may 
be,  dependance  upon  your  friend:  which  cannot 
be  withour  the  foul,  lefs,  or  more  being  drawn 
from  its  fixednefs,  and  full  complacency  in  God  5 
and  inclining  more  unto  other  fpiritsthan  it  fliould. 
In  this  c-rSc  there  is  great  need  of  mortification  to 
the  refined  pleafure  of  particular  friend ihips, 
and  to  know  no  man  after  the  iieih,  that  the  foul 
may  more  clofely  adhere  to  Chrill  [efus,  its  true 
and  proper  centre. 

Though  you  have  been,  without  reafon,  kept 
from  the  beneiit  of  afTembling  with  your  brethren 
in  that  particular  way  you  mention,  yet  if  you 
are  hereafter  permitted,  I  would  not  have  you 
refufe  to  go.  For  ill:,  it  would  have  too  great 
an  appearance  of  captioufnefs,  which  you  fliould 
be  entirely  free  from  :  2d,  it  would  be  in  effe<St 
flighting  an  excellent  means  of  improving  in  holi- 
nefs :    and    3d,    it  would  look   like   refentment. 

The  bed  way  of  making  the  calumnies,  and 
afperlions,  f  dfly  caft  upon  you,  difregardcrd  bgr 
others,  and  profitable  to  yourfelf,  is  to  offer  them 
up  to  God  in  a  facrifice  of  pure  thank fulnefs, 
that    you    are   accounted  worthy    to   fuffer  any 

,  thing 


L  i^9  J 
tiling  tor  his  lake  :  and  by  letting  all  your  obrerv- 
ers  fee,  by  the  v.hole  tenor  of  }  our  converlation, 
that  there  muft  be  a  flrarge  force  committed  up- 
on your  pure  mind,  before  you  cou'd  be  guilty 
of  the  things  afcribed  unto  you.  When  this  is 
the  cafe,  hard  words  will  not  break  your  head, 
but  gladden  your  heart :  and  that  dirt  maiicioufly 
thrown  at  your  character,  will  return  upon  thofe 
who  caft  it  5  whi  e  it  will  make  your  name  more^ 
fweet  in  the  ears  of  all  who  know  you  better,  and 
love  you  more  juftly ;  and  will  alfo  brighten  your 
crown  in  the  realms  of  immortal  glory. 

You  fee  how  I  have  unawares  forgot  myfelf  •, 
and  almoft  confumed  my  paper^.  before  i  have  faid^ 
ane  word  aboitt  my  own  fouk 

I  ha^ve  lately  had  a  great  deal  of  pain  iii'  my 
ht  ad,  which  has  brought  me  very  low  in  my  (pirits, 
and  greatly  dimin  fhed  my  ftock  of  ftrength:  But 
1  do  not  urge  this  by  way  of  complaint,  nor  yet 
as  an  apology  fo-r  any  defe^V  in  me.  No  :  1  thank 
the  dear  Jefus  for  all  the  pain  I  have  felt  j  I  dare 
lay,  if  I  had  wanted  any  part  of  it,  it  wou'd  have 
been  a  lofs  to  me.  I  know  affuredly  that  all  things 
work  together  for  my  good',  even  by  this  token,  I 
love  God. 

1  believe  I  have  grown  in  grace  lately,  but  not 
in  the  fame  rcfpe<lb,  I  did  fome  time  iince :  not 
in  joy  and  tranfporis ;  but  in  humility,  patience, 
and  refignation :  thefe  graces  I  have  had  occafion, 
in  a  peculiar  manner  toexercife;  whieh,  tho*  they 
do  not  fo  immediately  uiher  in  the  harveft  of  joy- 
ous extafies,  yet  they  will,  they  already  do  return 
with  fom.e  degree  ot  joy,  and  bring  thdr  fheaves 
of  fpiritual  advantage  with  them. 

This  is  my  laft,  beft,  and  m.oil:  determinate  re- 
folution,  to  die,  through  the  grace  of  Chrid 
ftrengthcning  me,  rather  than  intentionallv  grieve 

his 


[  130  J 

his  holy  Sphit.  My  bed,  and  the  furniture  of 
my  room,  the  ftoncs  in  the  wall,  and  the  beams 
in  the  timber  of  my  habitation ;  yea  the  inviliblc 
fpints  of  every  order,  which  attend  m  midnight 
hours  and  my  noon  d<\y  wailcs,  are  all  witneifes  of 
of  the  refoiutions  i  have  made,  and  repeated  in 
their  prel'ence :  and  1  do  not  only  confirm  them 
with  the  tears  which  now  flow  from  my  eyes,  but 
I  would,  if  it  was  expedient,  fign  them  with  the 
blood  which  runs  in  my  veins.  My  God  knows 
1  fear  nothing,  but  ofr^-nding  him,  nor  defire  any 
thing  but  to  be  l:ke  unto,   and  with  him. 

Pvjv  dear  friend  pray  for  me.  I  know  no  one  like 
minded,  who  naturally  cares  for  my  foul.  I  thank 
God  for. the  eare  you  have  exprefled  for  it.  It 
is  not  a  hard  lalk  to  return  the. favour,  t  do  not 
fciil  to  pray  for  you :  who  am 

Your  affc6lionate  Brother  and  Friend,  5cc. 

LETTER     LX.  ' 

Bath,  Ocl.  30,  I  765. 
To  t'hye  who  love  the  Lord  Jj^i  C/inJi  in  or  about 

M , ,  — — ,  — p-—,  Feace     be     mutip  ted 

to  you  from  God  the,  Father,  and  from  cur  Lord 
J  J:i>  Crfift^  through  the  operation  of  the  Holy 
Ghf.JJy   Anieji. 


B 


D  Y  the  help  of  divhis  providence,  and  the  af- 
ilttance  ot  youi'  prayers,!  came  fare  hither  lall  Sa- 
turday ic'naiglit.  1  was  and  ain  ftili  a  good  deal 
weighed  down  under  the  fenfe  of  mine  infuificiency 
to  preacli  the  unipeak^bij  iiclies  of  Chriil:  to  poor 
dying  (ouls.  i  his  place  is  liie  Ic'at  of  fatan  s  gau- 
dy tkrorif^ .  the  Lord  hath  uevertlieieis  a  few  names 

"*  here. 


[  M«  ] 
here,  that  are  not  aihamcd  of  him,  and  of  whom 
he  is  not  aihamcd,.  botu  among  the  poor  and 
among  the  rich  ^  There  are  not  many  of  the  Lift, 
though  blelild  be  God  for  anv  one  !  tis  a  great 
mir  icie  if  one  camel  palles  through  the  eye  of  a 
ncwdle;  or,  in  other  words,  if  one  rich  perfon 
enters  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  I  thank  God 
that  none  of  you  are  rich  in  the  things  of  this 
worid,  you  are  freed  from  a  dreadful  fnare,  even 
fron  Oivcs's'  portion  in-  this  world  INlay  you 
kno^v  the  happinefs  attending  your  flate  '  it  is  a 
mercy  to  be  drove  to  the  throne  of  grace  even  by 
bodily  want,  and  to  live  in  dependance  on  divine 
mercy  even  for  a  morfel  of  bread. 

1  have  been  fowmg  the  feed  that  the  Lord  hath 
given  both  in  I'ath  and  Brill:ol,  and  1  hope  your 
prayers  have  not  been  ioftupon  me  as  a  miniftcr  ;for 
though  I  have  not  been  able  to  difcharge  my  ofnce 
as  i  would,  the  Lord  hath  in  iome  meafui'e  ftood 
by  me,  and  over-ruled  my  fooHlhnefs  and  hclplefs-' 
nefs.  1  am  much  funported  by  the  thought  that 
you  bear  me  upon  your  hearts,  and  that  when  you 
come  to  the  throne  of  grace  to  beg  a  bleiling  for 
me  in  the  name  of  Jefus,  the  Lord  dotii  in  no  v.'ilb 
caif  you  out.  With  regard  to  the  ftate  of  my 
fouL  I  find,  blefled  be  God,  that  as  my  day  is,  fo 
is  my  Itrength  to  travel  on,  '  Without  minding 
much  e  tiler  g)od  or  bad  report 

Sslf  abfence  horn  you  anfwers  two  good  ends  in. 
regard  of  me:  I  feel  more  my  infurficiency,  and 
the  need  of  being  duly  ordained  of  Chrili  to., 
preach  his  gofpelj  and  1  Ihall  value  the  more  the 
worth  of  my  privilege  with  you,  p  eafe  God  [  re- 
turn fafely  to  you  1  had  yclterday  a  m^jit  advan- 
tageou  odfer  inad^r  ot  g  )ing  free  coit  to  my  own 
c»)antry,  (i  c.  France^j  to  iee  my  mother,  bro- 
thci-s,  and  iiiters  la  tue  flelh.,  who ai  i  have  not* 

letn 


:1:cn  for  near  eighteen  years,  but  I  find  my  re- 
iatic  ns  in  the  fpirit  are  nearer  and  dearer  to  me  than 
my  relations  in  the  fle(h  :  I  have  therefore  refufed 
-he  kind  otil r,  th.u  I  might  return  among  you,  and 
be  comforted  by  the  mutual  faith  of  you  and  me« 
I  hope,  my  dear  brethren,  that  you  improve 
much  under  the  miniltry  of  that  faithful  fervant 
of  God  Mr.  b-  — ,  whom  Providence  blelTes 
you  with;  make  hafte  to  gather  the  honey  of 
kno'.vledj^e  and  grace  as  •it  drops  from  his  lips, 
and  may  I  find  the  hive  of  your  heart  fo  full  of 
it  at  my  return,  that  I  may  Ihar^  with  you  in  the 
heavenly  llore.  in  order  to  this,  intreat  the 
liOrdto  ftir  up  your  hunger  and  thiril  aftei' Jefus' 
flefh  and  blood,  and  toincreale  your  defire  for  the 
fincere  milk  of  the  word  When  people  are 
hungry  they  will  find  time  to  go  to  their  meals; 
and  a  good  appetite  doth  not  think  that  a  meal  a 
day  is  too  much  :  as  you  go  to  Ipiritual  meals  for- 
get not  to  pray  all  the  way,  and  to  feaft  your  fouls 
in  hopes  of  hearing  fome  good  news  from  heaven, 
and  from  "efus,  the  faithful  loving  friend  which 
you  have  there  ;  and  when  you  return  home,  be 
lure  to  carry  the  unfearchable  riches  of  Jefus's 
dying  and  rifinglove  to  your  houfes,  in  the  veflel 
of  a  believing  heart ;  let  light  be  attended  with 
warmth  of  love.  Ee  not  you  fatisfied  in  knowing 
the  way  to  heaven,  but  walk  in  it  immediately, 
conftantly,  and  joyfully ;  be  all  throughly  in 
earneft.  You  may  impofe  upon  your  brethren  by 
a  formal  attendance  on  the  means  of  grace,  but 
you  cannot  deceive  the  ieaicher  of  hearts.  Let 
him  then  fee  your  hearts  llruggling  towards  him, 
and  if  you  fall  through  heavinels,  floth,  or  un- 
belief, do  not  you  make  a  bad  matter  worfe  by 
continuing  hope'efs  in  the  ditch  of  fin  and  guij.t. 
Up.aad  away  to  the  fountain  of  Jefus, blood,  y; 

will 


[  ^33^1 

will  not  only  wafli  away  the  guilt  of  paft  fins, 
but  ftrengtUcn  you  t;o  tniniple  all  iniquity  under 
foot  for  the  time  to  come.  Tiiever  foiget  that  the 
foul  of  the  dijjgent  Ihall  be  made  hit,  and  that  the 
Lord  will  fpue  the  lukewarm  out  of  his  mouth. 
Get  therefore  that  love  which  makes  you  diligent 
in  bufmefs,  fervent  in  fpirit,  ferving  the  Lord. 

You  know  the  way  to  get  this  love  is,  ift.  To 
confider  the  mercy  of  God;  2dly,  be  frequently, 
if  not  continually,  plying  tlus  faith  with  all  the  at- 
tention of  your  minds,  and  fervour  of  your  hearts, 
«'  Lord,  I  am  loll,  but  Chrift  iialh,  died  1"  3dly, 
to  tF.y  aduallv  to  love  as  you  can,  by  fetting  your 
affections  on  Chriftwhom  you  fee  not,  and  for  his 
fake,  on  your  brethren  whom  you  fee;  4thiy,'to 
ufe  much  private  prayer  for  yourfeives  and  others, 
and  to  try  to  keep  up  communion  with  God,  and 
with  your  abfent  bre-thren. 

I  beg,  in  order  to  this,  that  you  will  notnegle6t 
the  affembling  of  vourfelves  together  as  the  manner 
of  fome  is ;  and  when  you  meet  in  fociety,  be  nei- 
ther   backward    nor      forward   to  fpeak;    efteem 
yourfelves  every  one  themcancft  in  the  comp^my, 
be  glad  to  fit  at  the  feet  of  the  loweft ;   if  ycu  are- 
tempted  againft  any  one,   yield  not  to  the  tempta- 
tion, and  pray  for  much  of  that  love  which  hopeth 
all  things,  and  puts  the  befl  conflructions  even  up- 
on the  worft  of  thinsjs.     I  beg  for  Clirilt's  flike  I 
may  find  no  divifion  and  no  offence  amone  you  at 
my  return.     If  there  be  any  connylaticn  in  Chrift, 
if  any  comfort  of  love,  if  any  ftllowfhip  of  the  fpi- 
rit, if  any  bowels  of  mercy,  fulfil  ye  rny  joy,  that 
ye  be  like-minded,    having  the  fame   love,    beiVig 
cf  one  accord  and   of  one  mind.       Let  no:hin2^|b?, 
done  through  ftrife  or  vain  glory,  but  in  lowlinefs 
of  mind,    let  each  efteem  oih.rs  better  th--{n   him- 
felf.     I  earneftly  beg.  the  continuance  of  your  pra^^- 
N  trs 


[  '34  ] 
CIS  for  me,  both  as  a  minifter,and  as  your  companion 
in  tribulation  i  as  in  particular,  that  the  Lord 
would  keep  me  from  hurting  his  caufe  in-thefe 
parts,  and  that  when  Providence  iTiall  bring  mc 
back  among  you,  which  I  hope  will  be  this  day 
fortnight,  I  may  be  thoroughly  furn'fhed  for  every 
good  word  and  work.  'I  hat  the  biciling  of  God 
in  Chrift  Jefus,  may  crown  all  your  hearts  and 
your  meetings,  is  the  eaineft  prayer  of,  my  very 
dear  brethren. 

Your  unworthy  fcrvant  in  the  gofpel 
of  our  common  Lord, 

J-  F. 

P.  S.  I  had  iiot  time  to  finifh  this  letter  yeflerday, 
being  called  upon  to  preach  in  a  market  town  in  the 
neighbourhood.  The  dragon  fhewed  fome  of  his  fpite 
and^venom  to  little  purpofe.  A  gentleman  church- 
warden would  hinder  me  getting  into  the  pulpit  ; 
and  in  order  to  this,  curfed  and"  fwore,  aiid  took 
another  gentleman  by  the  ccl'ar  in  the  middle  of 
the  church.  Notwithftanding  his  rage,  I  preached  ; 
may  the  Lord  raife  in  power,  what  was  fown  in 
weaknefs. 

LETTER    LXI. 

Oakhall,  SufTex*  Sept.  23,  1766. 

To  thofe  who  love  or  fear  the  Lord  Jefus  at  M 

^ J  grace,  peace,  and  love,  be  muUipIi- 

fd  unto  you,    from  our  God  and  Saviour  Jefus 
Chrifl! 

X    ROVIDENCE,  my  dear  brethren,  called 
me  fo  fuddeniv  from  among  you,    that  I  had  not 

time 


[  '35  3 
time  to  take  my  leave  of  you,  a<id  recommend 
myfelf  to  your  priyeri ;  but  I  hope  the  good  fpi- 
4UJ:j>f  our  God,  which  is  a  fplrit  of  love  and  fup- 
plication,  hath  brought  me  to  your  remembranwC, 
as  the  pooreft  and  wcakcfl  of  Chrifl's  miniflers, 
and  confequently  as  him  whofe  hands  ftand  moft 
in  need  of  been  llrengthened  and  lifted  up  by  ycur 
prayers.  Pray  on  then  for  yourfelves,  for  one 
another,  and  for  him  whofe  glory  is  to  minifter 
unto  you  in  fpiritual  things,  and  whofe  forrovv  it 
is  not  to  do  it  in  a  manner  more  fuitable  to  the  ma- 
jefty  of  the  gofpel,  and  more  prciirable  to 
your  fouls.  My  heart  is  with  you  neverthelefs 
I  bear  patiently  this  bodily  reparation  for  three  rea- 
fons. 

I.  The  variety  of  more  faithful  and  abler  mini- 
fters  which  you  have  during  my  abfence,  is  more 
likely  to  be  ferviceable  to  you  than  my  prefence 
among  ycu,  and  I  would  always  prefer  your  profit 
to  my  fatisfa6tion.. 

II.  I  hope  Providence  will  give  me  thofe  oppor- 
tunities of  converfing  and  praying  with  a  greater 
variety  of  experienced  chriftians,  which  wi!l  tend 
to  mine  own  improvement,  and  I  truft  in  the  end, 
to  yours. 

III.  I  ffatter  myfelf,  that  after  fome  weeks  ab- 
fence, my  miniftry  will  be  recommend  by  the  ad- 
vantage of  novelty,  which  (the  more  the  pity) 
goes  farther  with  fome  than  the  word  itftlf.  In 
the  mean  time,  I  fhall  give  you  fome  advice,  which 
it  may  be,  will  prove  both  fuitable  and  ferviceable 
to  you. 

I.  Knd FAVOUR  to  improve  daily  under  the 
miniftry  that  Providence  blefles  you  with:  be  care- 
ful to  attend  it  with  diligence,  laith,  antl  prayer. 
Would  it  not  be  a  .^reat  lliame,if  when  minifters  come 
tkirty  or  forty  miles  off  to  offer  you  peace  and  par- 
N  a  don, 


[  136  ] 

don,  iTrengih'and  ccmforf,  in  the  naifje  of  God, 
any  of  you  fhculd  flight  the  gloricns  mciTagre,  or 
hear  ir  as  if  it  was  nothing  to  you,  and  as  ff  ycru 
heard  it  rfot  ?  Sre  then,' that 'ybu '*neV'erccrrie 
frorh  a  fermon,  without  being  mcyre  deepfy  con- 
vinced cf  fin  and  righteoufnefs :  in  order' to, 
this,    •  -   -     <•    -    ->. . 

2.  Ufe  much  prayer  before  yciiga' tc churcK: 
confider  that  your  next  appearance  there,  may 
be  in  a  coffin  ;  and  entreat  i he  Lord  to  give  you 
now  fo  to  hunger  and-  thirft  after    righteoufnefs, 

,  that  you  may  be  filled  therewith./ Hungry  .piei^- 
pfe  never  go  falling  from"  a  feail'.  Call  to  mind 
the  text  I  preached  from  the  laft  Sunday  but  one, 
before  I  left  you.      Wherefcre   laying  o fide    all  ma- 

' lice^  and  all  guile,  and  hypocrify,  and' envies,  and 
itJl  evll-fpeaking  ;  as  new-born  'babes,  defire  t/iejt;=» 
cere  milk  qJ  iJie  ivtrd  thrJ  ytu-niay  grovJ  'thertb^ , 
xPet.  2;  I;-  ■•  f-  -■•'^^'  •    '  •  •■  '  ; 

3.  When  you  are  under  the"  word,  bev/are  "of 
fitting  as  judges,  and  no^  like  criminals  ;  many 
juds:e  of  the  manner,  matter,  voice,  or  perfon  of 
the  preacher  \  ycu  perhaps  judge  all  the  congre- 
gation, when  they  ihculd  judge  themfelves  guilty 
cf  eternal  death,  and  yet  worthy  cf  eternal  life, 
throu£:h  the  V/orthinefs  oT  him,  wh"o  flood  and  v/rs 
conderxined  at  I'ilate's  bar  for  them.  The'mcmfitt 
you  have  dene  crying  to  God  as  guilty,  or  thank- 
ing Chrifl  as  reprieved  (Criminals,  ycu  have  reafon 
to  conclude,  that  this  advice  is^-kVelkd -at  ycu. 

-  4.  When  you  have  been  at  a.  means  of  grace, 
tpd  do  not  find  yourfelves  fenfibly  quickened,  let 
it  be  matter  of  deep  hrm.iliation  to  you.  For 
want  of  repenting  cf  their  unbelief,  and  hardnefs 
of  heart,  fcm.c  get  into  a  habit  of  dt^idnefs  and  in- 
dolence, fo  that  ihty  come  to  be  as  infenfible,  and 
as  little  afnamed  cf  them.felves  for  it,    as  floni?s.    " 

5.  Ecware 


[   137  ] 
5-  Beware  of  the  inconfiftent  behaviour  of  thofc, 
who  complain  that  they  are  full  ot   wandering  in 
the  evening  under  the  word,  when  they  have  fuffer- 
cd  their  minds  to  wander  from  Chrilf  all  the  day- 
long.    O !   get  acquainted  with  him,  that  you  may 
wafk  in  him,  and  with  him.     Whatfoever  you  do 
or  fay,  efpecially  in  the  things  of  God,  do  or  fay 
it,  as  if  Chrift  was   before,  behind,    and  on  each 
fide  of  you.     Indeed^heis  fo,  whether  you  confi- 
der  it  or  not  ;    for   when   he  vifibly  appeared   on 
earth,  he  called  himfeif  the  Son  of  Man  which  is  in 
heaven  ;  liow  much  more  then  is  he  prefent  on 
earth,  now,  that  he  makes  his-iranaedi-aie  appearance 
in  heaven.     Make  confcience  then,  to  niaiatain  a 
ienfe  of  his  blefltd  prefence  all  the  day  long,    and 
all  the  day  long  yen  %vill  have  a  continual  feafl: ; 
far  can   you  conceive  any  thing  raorc  delightful, 
than  to  be  always: at  the  fountain  of  love,    peace, 
beauty  and  jay  ;.  at  the  fpiing  of  power,  wifdom, 
gcodnefs  and  truth  }    can   there  lie  a  purer,    and 
more  melting  happinefs,  than  to  be  with  the  bed 
of  fatherS)  the  kindeficf  brothers,  the- mofl  gene- 
rous of  bencra£>orS)  and  the  trnderjil:  of  hufbands  ? 
now  Jefus:  is  all  this,  and  much  more  to  the  believ- 
ing foul;     0\  beljeve  my  friends,  believe  in  Jefus 
now,  through  a  continual  now.;  and  until  you  find 
you  can  thus  believe,  mourn  over  your  unbeliev- 
ing heart,,, drag  it  to  him  as  you  can  ;    think  of  the 
efficacy  of  his  blood  fhed  for  the  ungodly,  and  wait 
for.  the  fprrit  of  faith  from- on  hi^h^- 

6.  Some  of  you  wonder  why  you  can't  believe  ; 
why  you  cannot:  fee  Jefus  with  the  eye  of  your 
mind,  and  delight  in  him  with  the  ntTcclions  of 
your  heart.  I  apprehend  tlie  realbn  to  l)c  one  of 
thefe,  or  perhaps  altogether. 

I:    You   are  not  poor,    loil,  undor.c,    helplefs, 

defpairing  frnners  in  yourfelves.     You  indulge  fpi- 

N  3  ritual 


[  138  3 
rkual  and  refined  fclf-risrhteournefs ;  you  are  not 
yet  dead  to  the  ]aw,?.nd  quite  flain  by  the  ccmmand- 
ment.  New  the  kingdom  of  Iieaven  belongs  to 
ncne  but  the  poor  in  fpirit ;  Jefus  carne  tofave 
none  but  the  left.  What  wonder  therr,  if  Jefus  is 
little  to  )cu,  and  if  you  do  not  live  in  his  king- 
dcniof  pcace^  rightccufnefs',  and  jcy  in  the  HofV 
Ghoft? 

II.  Perhaps  you  fpcnd  yci:r  lime  in  curious  rea- 
fonings,  initead  of  carting  yourfclves  as  forlorn  fin- 
Eers  at  Chrift's  ieet,  leaving  it  to  him  to  blefs  you, 
when,  and  in  the  manner  and  degree  he  pleafes. 
Know  th^t  he  is  the  wife  and  fovereign  Gody  and' 
that  it  is  your  duty  to  lie  before  him  as  clay,  as 
fools,  as  finful  nothings. 

III.  I'erhaps  al;b,  fome  of  you  wilfully  keep 
idols  of  one  kind  or  other:  you  indulge  fome  fin 
againrt:  light  and  knowledge,  and  it  is  neither  mat- 
ter of  humiliation  nor  confefTion  lo  you.  1  he  love 
of  praife,  that  of  the  world,  that  of  money,  and 
that  of  fenfual  gratifications,  when  not  lamented; 
are  as  implacable  enemies  to  Chrift,  as  Judas  and 
Herod.  Hov/  can  ye  believe,  feeing  ye  feek  the 
honour  that  cometh  from  men  ?  hew  then  your 
Agags  in  pieces  before  the  Lordy  run  from,  your 
Delilahs  to  Jefus  refolutely  ;  cut  ofFthe  right  hand, 
and  pluck  out  the  right  eye  that  offend  yc'u : 
**  Come  from  among  them,  and  be  feparate, 
"  faith  the  Lord,  and  I  will  receive  xou."  Ne- 
vertheiefs,  when  you  flrivc,  take  care  not  to  make 
yourfelf  a  rightccufnefs  of  your  firlving  ;  remem- 
ber that  jufiifying  righteoufnefs  is  finifhed  and 
brcu£;ht  in,  and  that  your  goodnefs  can  no  more 
add  to  it  than  your  f;ns  diminilli  it.  Shout  then, 
«'  the  Lord  your  righteoufnefs  j"  and  if  you  are 
undone  finncrs,  hum'^bly  and  yet  boldly  fay,.  "  in 
the  Lord  have  I  rightecufnefs  and  ftrength." 

When 


[  ^'39  ]■ 
7.  When  I  was  in  I.cncon, Itncie'nvcurcdtc  irake 
tlic  bell  of  my  time  ;  that  is  to  fay,  to  hear,  ic- 
ceive,  and  pra61:ife  the  wordr  Acccrclinely,  I. 
went  to  Mr.  Whitfield's  tabernacle,  and  heard 
him  give  his  fociety  a  mofi:  (weet  exhortat'cn  upon 
love.  He  began  by  cbferving  tha^when  thc'apuf- 
tlc  St.  John  was  old,  and  pafl  walking  and  preach- 
ing, he  would  not  forfake  the  affennbling  himfeif 
■  with  the  brethren,  as  the  manner  of  too  many  is- 
upon  little  or  no -pretences  at  all ;  on  the  contrary,, 
he  got  himfeif  carried  to  their  meeting,  and  with 
his  laft  thread  of  voice,  preached  to  them  his- 
final  fermon  m.ade  up  of  this  one  fentence,  "  My 
little  children,  love  one  another."  I  wifh,  I  pray, 
I  earneflly  befeech  you  to  follow  that  evangelical^ 
apoflolical  advice  ;  and  till  God  makes  you  all*' 
little  children,  little  in  your  own  eyes^  and  fim* 
pie  as  little  children;  give  me  leave  to  fay, 
my  dear  brethren,  love  one  another,  and  of 
courfe,  judge  not,  provoke  not,  be  not  fhy  of 
one  another,  but  bear  ye  one  another's  burthens, 
and  fo  fulfil  the  law  of  Ghrift  •,  y^^,  bear  with 
one  another's  infirmities,  and  do  not  eafily  caf^ 
off  any  one,  not  for  fin,  except  it  be  obftinately 
perfifted  in. 

My  fhect  is  full,  and  fo  is  my  heart  of  good 
v/ifhes  for,  and  firong  longings  after  you  all.  I 
have  jull  room  to  tell  you,  I  hope  to  be  with 
you  in  three  or  four  weeks  time.  O  let  me  have 
the  comfort  of  finding  you  all  bciieving  and  lov- 
ing. Farewell,  my  dear  brethren  :  the  Llcifing 
of  God  be  with  ycu  all ;  this  is  the  earnefl  de- 
fire  of 

Your  unworthy  miniller, 

J-  F. 
LET- 


Y 


L   14^^  ]■ 

h    E     T     T     li     R       LXII.. 

To  Mifs  H ^.. 


OU  fefm  net  to  have  a-  clear,  idea  of  ihc 
liappinefs  of  the  lov^  of  Jefus,  or.  at  leuft  of  your 
privilege  of  loving  him  agairv:  your  duilnefs  of 
pnv:ite  }  rayer  arifes  from.the  want  of  a  familiar 
i'riendfliip  with  kfus  ;  to  obrvjate  "which,  go  to 
your  clofct,  as  if.  you  W;as  going  to  meet  the 
deartfl  friend  you  ever  had  ;,  cail  yourfelf  Im- 
mediately, at-  his-  feet,,  bemoaa<  y^our  coldnefs  be- 
fore him,  extol  his  love  to  >  ou,  and  let  your  heart 
break  with  a  defjre  to  love  him  till  it  can  a61:ually 
melt  v/ith  h.is  love  ;  be  importunate,  and  get  your 
Lord  to  avenge  you.  tf  your,  adverfary,  I  m.ean 
your  cold  heart. 

You  z{k  foTBe  directions  to  get  a  mortified 
fpirit  ;  in  order  to  get  it,  get  recolle6led.  Re- 
colle6licn  is  a  dwelling  with  one's  felf,  and  be- 
ing abftradled  from  crt-atures  towards  God  :  it  Is 
outward  and  inward  :.  outward  recolIe61ion  con- 
fills,  firft,  in  filence,  which  cuts  of  fuperfluous 
words,  fpeaks  of  necefiity,  and  that  for  the  glo- 
ry of  God  :•  fecondly,,  in  folitude,  or  a  being 
wifely  difentangicd  from  the  world,  a  keeping 
quietly  to  one's  bufinefs,  or  a  fhutting  the  door 
of  one's  fenfes  ;  in  an  inward  deep  attention  to 
Jefus'  love,  and  in  a  continual  care  of  entertain- 
ing holy  thoughts,  for  fear  of  fpirltual  idlencfs. 
Through  the  power  of  the  fpirit,  let  recolle6i:ion 
be  fteady  even  in  the  midft  of  hurrying  bufinefs. 
Secondly,  let  it  be  calm  and  peaceable.  Third- 
ly, let  it  be  laf!irg  :  Watch  and  pray,  left  you  enter 

into 


fi\ 


[141  1 

into  ttmptati'in.  In  'order  to  this>  beware  of  en-' 
ga^ng  too  deep  and  beyond  neccflity  into  out- 
ward things,  of  being  captivated  or  entangled  in 
heart  by  any  troublefcme  worldly  defire  or  af- 
fection ;  of  wilfully  committing  fmall. faults.  Re- 
coile6tion  appears  vaftK'  neceffary  ;  becaufe  for 
.want  of  it,  prayer  is  ufelefs,  imagination  and 
wanderings  prevail,  the  heart  gets  loofe  and  roves 
every  where  ;  whereas  we  pals  eafily  from  recclr 
lection  to  delightful  prayer  again.  Without  re- 
colkctiorjf,  WQ  cannot  find  out  nor  crufh  fm  in  itf 
firil  riflings  ;  therefore  it  will  break  out  in  every 
unmortified  perfon.  To  this  I  might  add,  thaj: 
without  reccl(e<Stion,.  we  cannot  know  or  deny 
ourfelves  to  any  puroofe.  In  reco!le6tion,  let  your 
mind  a6t  according  to  grace,  it  will  probably  lead 
you,  either  to  contemplate  on  Jefus  crucified,  dy- 
mff,  rifmg,  interceding.  Fourthl) ,  watch  your 
flwfes,  fupprefs  ycur  paflions.  Fifthly,  keep  be- 
fore God,  in  refpeOful  filince  of  hearrt.  Sixthly, 
watch  and  fellow  the  motions  of  grace,  and  feed 
on  the  promifes. 

But  take  care  here,  ifl.  To  be  more  taken 
with  thoughts  of  God,  than  YCjJrrdF.  2('ly,  To 
confider,  how  harcly  recolie£tion  is  got  fcmt^timer, 
and  how  eafijy  loll,  sdl; ,  Not  to.  ufc  much 
forced  labour  to  faife  a  particular  frame.  4thly, 
Not  to  fret,  tire,  nor  grow  impatient,  if 
you  have  no  comfort  ;  but  meekly  to  acquiefce 
and  conftfs  yourfelf  unworthy  of  any,  determining 
quietly  to  wait  for  the  fmiles  of  Jefus.  The  fol- 
lowing m.otives  may  flir  you  up  to  the  purfuit  of 
recoil  6tIon  :  ift.  We  mud  forfake  all,  and  die  to 
all  firfu  by  reccllection  ;  idly,  Without  which, 
God's  voice  can't  be  heard  in  the  foul.  5d1y,  It 
is  the  only  altar  on  v/hich  to  offer  our  Ifaacs.  4thly, 
It  is  indrumentally  a  ladder  (if  I  may  fo  fpeak)  to- 

afcend 


afcend  into  God.  5thly,  It  is  the  rendezvous  of 
God  and  the  foul.  6thly,  By  it,  the  foul  gets  to 
its  centre  J  cut  of  it,  it  is  reftlefs.  7th]y,  Msn's 
foul  is  the  temple  of  God  :  recoIIe6lion,  the  holv 
of  holies.  8thly,  As  the  wicked  by  recollection 
find  hell  in  their  breafts,  fo  faithful  fouls  heaven, 
pthly,  Without  it,  all  means  of  grace  pro\'e  ufelefs, 
or  make  but  a  flight  imprelfion.  lothly,  Recol- 
le6i:ion  empties  the  foul  that  God  may  fill  it. 

I  give  you  thefe  hints,  not  to  fet  Chrift  afide, 
but  that  you  may,  according  to  the  light  and  pow- 
er given,  take  the  ftone  and  place  it  upon  the 
chief  corner  ftone  :  cement  them  with  the  blood 
of  Jefus,  'till  the  fuperftru6lure  in  fome  meafure 
iinfwers  the  excellency  of  the  foundation* 

J-  F. 

^^  i»»<  ^  ^  »%■  **-**  ^-*  *-^  i-.-^  >^..%.  >--j  ^-^^  * — ,  m  .  ^%  ^^  M^  ^ 

LETTER      LXIII.        ^ 

My  very  dear  Friend, 

A  Came  to  this  p'ace  on  iSaturday  laft,  in  compa- 
ny with  Mr.  C.  and  Mr  M.  we  had  a  good  jour* 
ney.  We  fpent  our  time  in  convcrfing  upon  the 
things  appertaining  o  the  kingdom  of  God,  in  the 
moft  fokmn  and  devout  m.mner  we  could;  and  at 
intervals  fung  a  few  verfes  of  an  hymn,  the  whole 
attended  with  mental  prayer,  by  thefe  means  wc 
came  here,  not  only  with  a  good  confcience,  but 
forwarded  in  our  fpiritual  journey.  It  is  a  good 
thing  ta  have  only  one  bufmefs  on  earth,  to  make 
our  calling  and  election  fure ;  and  only  one  end 
in  view,  to  glorify  God. 

We  had  a  iove-feafl  at  *  *  on'  Sunday  evening, 
atwhV].  there  were  near  eight  hundred  precious 

fouls 


C  H3  ] 
fouls  prefcnt.  Our  Lord  was  with  us,  and  k  laadfe 
the  place  where  we  were  aflembled  the  houfc  oX 
God,  and  the  g<^te  of  heaven  indeed,     0/if  /ictw 
amiable  are  thy  tabern'<cL-s,  th'iu  Lord  of  ftojh  f 

Moftthat  were  prefcnt  had  reafon  to  thank  God 
for  the  great  coiifolation,  and  one  received  re- 
miffion  of  fins  !  we  parted  on  Monday  morning 
with  tears,  tho'  in  expectaiion  of  feeing  one  ano- 
ther again  (hortly.  That  was  fulfilled  in  us.  "  See 
how  thefe  ChrifiEians  love.  '* 

It  greatly  rejoices  my  heart  to  fmd  a  revival  or 
the  work  of  God  in  this  place  alfo.  Brother  M.  is 
very  lively,  and  preaches  chriltian  perfection  with 
all  his  might,  and  "everal  are  ftirred  up  tj  feek 
more  holincfs.  On  Saturday  evening  we  h.id  a  pri 
vate  meeting  with  thofe  who  deiire  to  go  on  to 
perfeqtip'n'.  Some  prefcnt  fpake  largely  of  receiv- 
iiiagkne  accomplilhment  of  the  promifes  of  God, 
bjE^fimple  aCl  of  faith;  and  faid  believe,  believe, 
altogether:  I  fpoke  my  mind  freely  upon  the  ne- 
cellity  of  waiting  for  the  fulfilling  of  the  great  and 
precious  promifes,  in  a  diligent  ufe  of  all  the 
means  ot  grace,  in  mortifying  the  deeds  of  the  bo- 
dy ,  and  crucifying  the  flefh  with  its  aftcvftions  and 
lufts  :  and  vigouroufly  doing  good  to  the  utrnoft 
of  our  power,  and  patiently  fuffering  evil,  at  the 
fame  time  having  alloui  expectation  from  Chrifl, 
and  our  faith  fteadih'  fixt  on  the  pro  nifes,  I  offered 
this  to  their  conflderation  as  the  moft  fcriptural, 
and  fafe  way  of  growing  in  grace  and  arriving  at 
the  meafure  of  the  ftature  of  perfect  men  in  Chriil:. 

I  find  much  comfort  and  edification  lU  the  com- 
pany of  your  friend.  I  thank  God  for  her  ex- 
ample, and  advice.  The  dear  Lord  Jefus  blefs 
and  reward  her. 

My  foul  is  atprefent  thirfting  for  more  of  God  : 
I  long  for  all  his  fullaefs :  I  pray  for  3  our  abun- 
dant 


C  H4  ] 
dant  profperity  j  I  wifti  the  happinefs  of  all  man- 
kind.  . 

L:t  your  heart  be  given  every  moment  to  God 
alone,  and  hvt  as  many  thoughts  as  poflible  from 
all  other  tilings,  to  centre  immediately  in  him. 
Strive  to  be  little  in  }0ur  own  eyes,  and  alfo  in 
nppearance.  Oh!  that  we  may  drink  more  abun- 
viant'y  into  the  humble,  fimple,  loving  fpirit  of 
Chrift! 

I. remain  yours  affe(5tionately,  &c. 

LETTER        LXIV. 
Ptcv.  and  liighly  efteemed  Sir,     Aug.  lo,  1741. 


G 


Lory  be  to  God /or  his  great  goodnef^,  for 
fparing  me  lo  long,  in  the  outward  pj'ofe{]io*i^^ 
religion  without  the  power,  to  let  me  lee  his  gtWt 
falvation  through  your  preaching.  I  attended  the 
field  preaching  at   firft,  and  not  from  curioiity; 

yet  Mr 's  preaching    had    little    or  no  effaSt 

upon  me.  I  ufed  to  fay  his  difcourfes  are  irregu- 
lar, yet  at  the  fame  time  [  was  raviflied  with  the 
hymn  fung  before  the  fermon,  and  often  thereby 
melted  into  tears  of  love  and  joy.  But  it  pleafed 
God  to  come  nearer  my  heart,  and  draw  me  by 
a  fermon  you  preached  at  Kennington  from  Pfil. 
xl.  15.  I  was  then  convinced  I  never  v/as  in  that 
ftate  :  another  from  you  on  the  one  thing  needful, 
which  I  ufed  to  think  I  had  chofen  becaufe  I  was 
outwardly  religious,  had  the  fame  effedl  upon  me. 
I.  then  fiv  clearly  that  to  be  religious,  was  to  be 
renewed  in  the  image  of  God  By  the  light 
my  heaven'/  Father  giveih  me,,  I  now  perceive, 
vhcnl  look  back  at  thefe  things,  how   he   was 

-then 


C  H5  ] 

tiicii -urawiHg  mc  to  my  Saviour:  for  ramctimcs, 
when  I  was  under  the  word,  which  I  conftantly 
attended,  efpecially  when  delivered  by  you,  I  have 
been  in  great  joy,  and  thought  well  of  my  ftatc, 
that  I  had  faith  and  forgivenefs  of  lins,  at  other 
times  I  doubted  of  it,  yet  was  deeply  convinced  of 
my  vilenefs,  and  deferving  nothing  but  God's 
wrath  and  eternal  damnation  :  yet  I  reafoned  with 
fome  of  our  brethren  that  I  might  have  forgive- 
nefs, and  not  have  that  feeling  fenfe  of  it.  Lord, 
how  prone  man  is  to  juftif  >  himfelf !  I  wanted 
them  to  think  me  in  a  good  ftate,  which  only 
difcovered  my  pride. 

Some  time  after,  1  heard  you  at  the  barn  at 
Deptford,  preach  on  this  vei-y  fubje<fl:,  which  dif- 
courfe  took  me  all  to  pieces :  I  was  quite  unhinged. 
Now  faid  1,  to  thofe  along  with  me,  I  Ihall  from 
this  time  iit  down  in  the  owed  room,  among 
thofe  who  are  jull  awaki^ned.  Yet  fuch  was  the 
flubbornnefs  of  m  heart,  it  would  not  permit  me 
to  join  with  m)  brethren  in  fm^ng  hymns,  as  wc 
came  home. 

I  ufed  to  fa  ,  Mr.  W.  and  Mr.  N.  are  very  cre- 
dulous, to  take  )Ou  for  iaints,  as  foe  n  as  any 
of  you  can  fay  you  have  received  fuch  or  fuch  a 
gift,  and  declare  yourfelf  to  be  juilified:  why 
here  is  fuch  a  talking  about  gifts,  if  I  was  to  re- 
ceive a  gift,  I  Ihould  keep  it  to  myfclf,  without 
making  fuch  a  declaration.  But  God  afterward*; 
Ihewed  mc  that  herein  1  erred. 

One  time  1  argued  with  my  brethren  againll 
being  delivered  from  evil  thoughts ;  but  this  th:: 
Lord  w.s  pleafed  to  reveal  to  mc  the  fame  night: 
before  our  little  company  broke  up.  The  words 
of  our  Lord  came  with  power  into  my  foul,  even 
in  a  moment,  by  which  I  was  convinced  of  this 
part  of  my  miftake :  Make  the  tns  good,  ar.d   its 


[  hg] 

fruit  will  be  good  aJfo.  I  immediately  acknowledged 
the  fame,  and  fhall  never  again  have  reafon  to 
doubt  ot  that. 

Thus  my  heavenly  Father  led  me  on  till  the 
Stinday  morning  before  Chriftmas  day  laft,  when 
he  was  pleafed  to  manifeft  himfelf  further  unto  me, 
and  make  me  feel,  and  experience  in  my  heart, 
the  forgivenefs  of  my  fins.  I  may  truly  fay  he 
found  me  when  I  fought  him  not,  for  I  know  not 
a  time  when  I  went  to  the  Foundery  with  more  in- 
difference :  I  ufed  commonly  to  be  there  before  the 
fcrvice  began,  but  then  I  well  remember  1  had  not 
any  warm  defires  in  me.  Mr.  H  s  was  at  that 
time  difcourfing  upon  the  love  of  God  ;  uncxpeft- 
cdly,  in  a  moment,  as  quick  as  thought,  I  fenfi- 
bly  felt  my  heart  open,  I  received  his  love  with  a 
clear  fenfe  of  the  pardon  of  my  fins:  my  foul 
burned  with  this  manifeftation,  it  was  overflowed 
with  love,  and  tears  of  joy  ftrcamcd  from  mine 
eyes.  I  felt  myfelf  inexpreffibly  changed :  all  un- 
belief was  taken  away,  and  my  foul  united  unto 
God. 

I  was  in  fuch  a  delightful  ftate,  that  inftead  (a$ 
I  purpofed)  of  keeping  this  gift  to  myfelf,  I  now 
wanted  the  fervice  to  conclude,  that  I  might  tell 
thofe  who  feared  God,  what  he  had  done  for  my 
foul.  The  hymn  at  the  conclufion  added  to  my 
comfort,  which  was. 

"  Now  I  have  found  the  ground  wherein, 
*'  Sure  my  foul's  anchor  may  remain,'*  &c. 

I  returned  home  very  joyful,  declaring  what  the 
Lord  had  done  for  my  foul. 

I  went  in  the  forenoon  to  White  Chapel  church, 
where  1  met  with  an  explication  of  what  I  had  re- 
ceived. The  whole  fervice  contributed  to  the  con- 
firmation of  my  faith.  The  Pfalms  for  the  day 
began,  O  give  thanls  unto  t^e  Lord,  and  call  up9n 

his 


[  147  1 
hii  namCy  tell  the  people  what  things  he  hath  done* 
Never  was  my  heart  more  lifted  up  !  never  did  I 
read  thcfe  lines  in  this  light  before !  O  let  your 
fangs  be  oj  hiwy  and  praife  him,  and  let  your  talking 
be  of  all  his  ijuondrous  "i.orks  f  The  coUe(St  of  the 
day  greatly  concurred,  **  Grant  us  fo  perfectly, 
and  without  all  doubt  to  believe  in  thy  Son  Jefus 
Chrift,  that  our  faith  in  thy  fight  may  never  be 
reproved.  "  The  epiftle  alfo  made  me  reckon  my- 
felf  no  more  a  ft  ranger  and  foreigner  ,  but  a  fellow 
citizen  with  the  faints  of  the  houfehoid  of  God. 
The  gofpcl  alfo  confirmed  mc  in  the  words  of  St. 
Thomas,  I  faid  my  Lord  and  my  God, 

Thus  good  fir,  I  have  given  fome  account  of 
the  great  things  God  has  done  for  me,  and  what 
I  have  already  attaiiied.  Glory  be  unto  his  name 
for  what  he  hath  beftowcd  upon  me.  But  alas  1 
fince  then,  I  have  oftncr  than  once  fallen  into 
anger^  which  grieves  his  fph-it.  1  am  not  yet, 
but  I  eameftly  defire  to  be  delivered  from  inward 
fin  :  it  appears  exceeding  finful  j  I  feel  my  own 
hclpleflhefs,  neither  do  1  truft  in  any  thing  paft. 
i  often  fay, 

"  Gifts  alas,  cannot  fuffice, 

And  comforts  a'l  are  vain  ; 
While  one  evil  thought  can  rife, 

I  am  not  born  i^gain  : 
Still  I  am  not  as  my  Lord, 

Thy  holy  will  I  do  not  prove,"  &c. 
I  know  my  Saviour  is  able  to  help  me,  and  I 
firmly  believe  he  will  carry  on  the  work  he  has 
begun  in  my  foul.  I  defire  to  wait  his  time  and 
manner  till  I  have  full  redemption,  till  I  arrive  at 
the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in 
Chrifi  Jefus:  'till  I  am  fully  renewed  in  the 
image  of  God ;  till  I  am  made  a  partaker  of  the 
divine  nature,  till  all  old  things  are  done  aivay,  till 
1  timfo  born  of  God,  as  not  to  commit  /in  in  any  mea- 
O   2  Aire, 


■       [  148  ] 

fure,  till  I  am  funeiified  wholly  in  /pint,  foul  and 
Body. 

And  may  the  God  cf  glory  prefcrvc  and  blcft 
your  preeious  life  long  among  ns,  and  give  you  a 
double  portion  of  his  fplrit;  that  after  you  have 
been  the  happy  mftiument  of  bringing  many,  very 
many  fons  to  g^ory,  you  may  fhine  as  the  bright- 
nefs  of  the  firmament  in  the  kingdom  of  your 
Father  for  ever,  is  the  prayer,  Rev.  Sir, 

Of  the  unworthy  A.  L 

^%  Sa  */  -^  -*  ■^^  «v  ^*  ^-.  *^'^  \^m^   M.  ^  wV  *^^M  M  ^^\   "ir— '    ^  -  'fc^  ^^  #  ■ 

L    E    T    T    E    R        LXV. 


I 


PiCT.  Sir,  Dec.  27,  1742 


Received  your  kind  and  pious  Letter,  and 
ihould  have  wrote  fooner  to  acquaint  you  with  my 
liatc,  fincc  you  was  fo  good  as  to  defire  it :  but 
the  reafon  why  I  deferred  it  was,  my  being  out 
cf  all  hope  of  receiving  any  benefit  from  any  means. 
I  have  wearied  all  my  friends  and  correfpondents 
with  my  vain  complaints,  and  am  now  myfelf 
tired  of  complaining.  1  he  Almighty  does  not  re- 
gard my  languid  fuiful  prayes^ :  he  hath  hid  him- 
ielf  from  me,  and  fliut  me  up  in  thick  darknefs. 
My  heart  is  hardned  from  his  fear,  nor  can  I  fee 
my  want,  nor  mourn  my  milery.  I  have  not  even 
a  notionat  faith,  nor  any  will,  or  endeavour  to 
:urn.  The  little  fpark  of  grace  I  once  had  is  to- 
tally extinguished,  I  have  not  any  concern  at  all. 
I  cannot  fee  fin,  nor  can  I  pray  from  my  heart, 
either  for  myfelf  or  others :  yet  do  I  make  a  con- 
ftant  life  of  all  the  ordinances  of  Cluift  :  I  would 
not  willingly  commit  any  fin,  nor  can  I  allow  it  in 
otherjs^  and  am  unwilling  to  bring  a  fcandal  upon 

the 


C  H9  1 
%c  people  of  God.  I  fliould  not  think  any  duty 
toa  hard  if  my  heart  were  but  affected.  But  alas  i 
woe  is  me,  I  am  tyed  down  by  a  thoufand,  yea  ten 
thousand  chains,  and  can  no  more  lift  up  my 
heart  to  God,  than  I  can  reach  heaven  with  my 
finger.     My  foul  is  quite  dead. 

I  was  fometime  ago  wifliing  to  be  in  this  or 
that  place,  and  ftill  as  my  defires  for  God  grew 
weaker,  would  wifh  I  was  but  as  I  was  the  year, 
or  month,  or  week  before  :  but  now  I  cannot  have 
any  ienfe  of  my  lofs.  The  brethren  here  have 
prayed  for  me,  but  I  am  ftill  more  hard  and  more 
blind.  I  have  no  notion  of  death,  or  hell,  or 
judgment,  or  eternity;  nor  hay£  I  any  fenfe  of 
the  law  of  God.  If  at  any  time  I  have  a  faint 
remembrance  of  the  grace  I  once  had,  how  I  w^s 
affecfted  fome  years  fince,  and  find  fome  forrowfor 
the  lofs  of  my  Saviour;  or  if  a  verfe  of  an  hymn 
aife£ts  me,  and  forces  a  tear  from  my  fiinty  hear*,' 
yet  it  continues  not,  but  is  like  a  flaihof  lightning 
immediately  gcme.- 

I  greatly  loiig  to  fee  you,  or  your  brother  here: 
perhaps  the  word  might  come  again  with  power 
to  my  foul.  I  am  yet  alive,  therefore  I  will  not 
fay  it  is  impoilible  for  God;  to  change  even  me: 
fome  miracle  of  grace  may  make  even  me  a  mo- 
nument of  mercy;  I.  would  tain  fee  my  wants, 
and  mourn  my  lins,  and  grieve  under  the  burden 
of  my  woe:  for  i  cannot  conceive  it  poiiiDlei^ 
ihould  love  Chrift  without  extremity  of  need 
compels  me  to  it.  O  wr  tched  foul,  this  is  thy 
fad  condition  !  I  cannot  find  any  way  of  rcturninr^ 
for  I  cannot  repent :  I  have  ieveral  tirnes  fervent  y 
prayed  for  one  beam  of  light,  but  hav-e  found  no 
anfwer. 

In  ihort,  1  have  taken  a  great  deal  of  pains  to 

deftroy.  myfelf ;  the  more  i  ftrove,  the  more  I 

O  3  was 


['50] 
''^as  entaRgled.  I  know  I  formerJy  fought  God 
ilncerely,  but  when  I  endeavoured  to  give  up  my 
whole  heart  unto  hnn,  the  devil  laid  all  his  fnares 
for  me,  iind  I  am  now  his  captive.  I  have  betray- 
ed my  ioul  by  endeavouring  to  preferve  it.  Their 
condition  is  preferable  to  mine,  who  live  in  open 
protaneneis :  for  were  they  once  convinced  of 
their  danger,  they  would  glad'y  embrace  the  Savi- 
our j  but  i  have  a  double  vail  upon  my  hearts 
a^-'d  if  I  perifh  my  pimiflmient  will  be  far  greater. 
When  I  look  upon  myfelF  in  this  hght,  I  do  think 
the;-.:  is  not  a  iDore  wretched  creature  breathing. 
I  wander  al)out  like  a  defolate  exile.  I  have  loft 
my  reafbn,  and  my  underftanding  is  taken  from 
me.  I  have  no  peace,  but  a  fearful  expe<Station 
of  judgment.  Gh!  that  the  Son  of  God  would 
look  upon  me  in  my  loft  eftate,  and  force  me  to 
be  f  ivcd  by  grace  !  if  1  lliould  be  reftored  again  I 
will  prize  his  mercy  ;  and  furely  then  I  fhall  ferve 
him  all  the  reii  of  my  days.  But,  O  'tis  a  fad  thing 
when  one  can  lot  repent,  or  even  fincerely  defirc 
it !  my  hands  hang  down. 

I  have  a  thought  fometimes  to  caft  ofTthc  form, 
fmce  I  have  loft  the  power  of  religion.  I  would 
fain  die,  if  death  would  fet  lue  free;  but  I  am  not 
willir^;  to  quit  all  hopes  of  heaven. 

I  beg  you  will  enquire  of  the  liOrd  for  me, 
and  wi-eftle  with  him  in  my  behalf,  and  if  my  day 
of  grace  is  not  yet  over,  O  befeech  him  to  give 
me  the  comfort  of  his  help  again,  and  that  his  fpirit 
may  ftrive  with  me.     Iftnta  letter  to  fhis    pur- 

pofe  to  Mr.  M a  fortnight  ago,  but  received 

ng  anfwer.     Perhaps  the  Lord  fliewed  him  I  was 
.oft,  and  he  might  be  unwilling   to  tell  me  fo. 

But  I  beg  Mr.  W s  would  join  with  you  in 

praver,  and  let  me  know  what  the  Lord   wiU  fay 
concerning  me.     I  fl;all  impatiently  wait  the  an- 
fwer. 


C  '.5«  1 

ffvcr,  for  I  would  fain  know  the  vforii.  I  wiU 
yet  wait  upon  the  Lord,  if  1  pertfli,  1  will  n(-t 
periih  for  want  of  aiking:  I  will  draw  near  unta 
God  with  my  lips,  tho*'  my  heart  is  far  from  him. 

Thus  I  have  givenyouadefcription  of  hellupoLx.. 
earth :  but  I  am  confident  you  wiH  not  think  much 
to.  labour  for  my  foul,  or  angrily  reproach  my  un-- 
profitaWenefs,  notwithftanding  the  good  advice 
you  have  alt^pn  givea  mc,^  fcems  to  be  loft  upon, 
mc.  I  have  fpun  this  to  an  unreafonaWe  length,. 
but  I  bwope  you:  will  excufe  my  weaknefs,. 

Who  am  your  moft  unworthy  Servant,  A.  N. 

P.  S.  I  have  juft  received:  a  mod  comfortable 

letter  from  Mr.  M d;  it  has  given,  me  hope 

thAt  ly  even  I  fhall  yet  know  and  love  Jefus  Chrifl;., 

LETTER      LXVL 
Rev.  $ir> 


I 


Know  your  love  and  care  for  our  fouls  ii 
great,  and  therefore  I  fend  you  thefe  few  lines 
to  infoxm  you  how  the  blefled  Jefus  deals  with  us  l 
I  find  my  foul  grow  ftronger  and  ftronger  in  the 
Lord  daily.  He  hath  given  me  to  eat  of  the  /5/V/- 
dfn  mannay  and  the  tree  of  life^.  and  given  me  tht 
ivhite  Jlom,  Muith  the  new  name  written  therein^ 
which  none  knotv  f/tve  thoje  loho  receive  it :  and  hath 
revealed  himftlf  unto  me,  ia  the  manner  he  doth 
not  unto  the  world.  My  foul  is  joined  to  Chrift. 
lean  pray  without ceaflng.  The  love  of  God  is 
abundantly  Ihed  abroad  \n  my  foul ;  yet  I  conti- 
nually hunger  and  thirft  for  more..  O  how  I  dc- 
fire  to  do  the  will  of  God  on  earth,  as  angels  do 
it  in  heavco !  the  Lord  hath  given  me  to  believe 

that 


[    T5^'    ] 

th.u  whuifocvci'  I  afk  the  Father  in  tlic  name  of 
Jt'iushdWill  do  it  for  me.  I  fee;  his  word  and 
promiie  appUed:  he  does  give  me  what  I  alk.  O 
that  i  could  exprefs  the  love  I  feci  to  God^  and 
;iil  inaiiJcind  :  I  could  freely  lay  down  my  lite  for 
the  lalvation  of  any  one  iinner  in  the  world. 
Great  and  inexpreflible  is  that  love  wherewith  Je- 
Ills  loverh  us.  Sweet  to  my  foul  are  all  his  coni- 
raands.  If  at  any  time  i  have  any  tsinptation  to 
break  any  of  them,  my  whole  heart  rifeh  up 
againil  it ;  and  Tor  the  love  I  have  unto  the  law- 
giver, and  to  the  purity  of  his  law,  I  would  ra- 
ther die  than  break  the  leaft  commandment.  How 
can  I  offend  fo  loving  and  gracious  a  Saviour, 
I  wou'd  not  do  any  thing  which  might  difpleafe  my  . 
heavenly  Father.  In  all  things  wherein  I  fee  the 
will  of  God,  he  enables  me  to  do  it  joyfully. 

I  am  always  lefs  or  more  happy  in  the  Lordi 
Indeed  fottRjtimes  I  think  there  is  fomething  like  a 
vail  which  covers  that  great  glory  of  the  Lord, 
which  at  other  tiihes  I  fee:  but  I  then  lie  at  the 
Saviour  s  feet,  and  wait  till  he  gives  me  that  light 
of  his  glorious  face  again.  I  air  never  without  him, 
but  fometimes  he  docs  fill  my  foul  fo  much  with 
his  lovely  prefcnce,  that  my  body  can  fcarcely 
bear  it,  and  I  cannot  at  all  exprefs  it. 

Within  thefe  few  days  1  have  had  a  peculiar 
fenfe  of  my  unworthinefs,  and  fuch  a  finking  into 
humility  as  I  have  not  always  ;  fo  that  I  think  my- 
felf  utterly  unworthy  to  lie  at  the  feet  of  Chrift: 
if  I  could  find  any  place  near  unto  him,  lower  than 
this,  I  would  lie  there.  But  he  has  honoured  me 
with  a  place  at  his  dear  feet,  and  his  wings 
overfhadpw  me,  iand  keep  me  from  all  florms. 
O  that  I  could  praife  him  fufficiently  ! 

Dear  Sir,  remember  me  in  your  prayers,  and 
praifes :    and  may  Jefus  Chrift  continually  blefs 

you. 


[  t53  3 

jGiT.  I  believe  he  will.  O  faitlitul  fhepherd-  et 
the  flock  !  your  feet  are  beautiful  wherever  you 
carry  the  glad  tidings  of  peace.  Blefled  be  yctir 
goings  out,,  and  comings  in  ;  your  rifing  up,  and 
your  lying  down.  May  Jefus  be  with  yeu  f«r 
ever  and  ever. 

FronoE  your  unworthy  Friend  in  Chrifl'  Jefuo, 

E.  V. 


I 


LETTER        LXVIL 
My  dear  Brother^ 


Received  your  Letter,  and  I  heartily  wKR  the 
Lord  may  manifeft  himfelf  unto  you  this  day,  and 
give  you  his  fpirit  to  bear  witnefs  with  your  fpirit 
that  you  are  a  fon  of  God.  I  beg  of  you,  reft 
not  night  or  day,  tifl  you  reft  inr  Jefus  Chrift.  Let 
me  alfo  entreat  you  to  hear  and^eaveunto  Mr.  W, 
for  I  aflfure  you  he  is  a  good  man,  and  I,  ,and  ma- 
ny fouls  in  this  country  were  greatly  blefled  ii¥  hear- 
ing the  word  of  the  Lord  from  his  mouth. 

When  I  came  down  here,  I  found  the  people 
running  from  town  to  town,  and  not  one  in  fifty 
knew  what  they  went  for :  but  when  I  told  them 
what  God  had  done  for  my  foul,  they  cried,  away 
•with  fuch  a  felhvj  from  the  earth ,  Jor  he  is  nof fit 
tfi  live, 

Mr.  I /ent  for  me,  and  feemed  much  of- 
fended that  I  was  fo  bold,  but  the  Lqrd  put  word* 
in  my  mouth  that  he  could  not  gainfay:  and  \n- 
d^td  all  that  came  to  difpute  with  me,    whether 

Pr ns,  or  ftill  ones,  were  not  able  totonfute 

what  1  faid,  though  they  would  not  be  convinced 
by  it.     And  though  there  was  not  a  man  in  iht^Q 

pans 


1 154  i 

parts  that  would  agree  to  what  I  faid,  even  when 
1  proved  it  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God,  yet  he 
has  given  me  fuch  a  witnefs  of  his  love  that  if  all 
men  in  the  world  were  to  oppofe  me,  they  could 
not  ihake  my  foul.  I  reft  on  my  Lord's  words,  for 
he  has  faid,  /  will  never  kave  t/iee,  nor  forfake  thee. 
Seeing  that  the  Lord  hath  made  ufe  of  fuch  a  weak 
worm  as  me,  and  has  giyen  me  to  love  all  his  crea- 
tures, fo  that  I  cannot  defire  the  death  of  a  fly  or 
w-orm,  and  a  burning  zeal  for  all  men's  fouls,  I 
will  run  and  not  faint. 

When  Mr.  W.  began  to  preach  out  of  the 
churches,  in  Moortfields  and  Kennington-Com- 
mon,  I  was  deeply  convinced  of  my  lofl  condition, 
and  felt  in  myfelF  the  fentence  of  condemnation, 
when  the  dear  Saviour  of  finners  fpake  peace  to  my 
foul:  and  ever  fince  he  has  continued  unto  me 
fome  fight  and  fenfe  of  his  love;  though  for  a 
year  or  more  I  was^  fcmetimes  brought  very  low, 
and  at  other  times  I  have  been  fo  full  of  love,  that 
tears  of  joy  have  flowed  from  my  eyes,  to  think  that 
Jefus  would  love  and  look  upon  fuch  a  wretch  as 
me.  A  little  before  1  came  from  London  1  was  at 
St.  Paul's,  at  the  facram^nt,  as  I  kneeled  before 
him,  the  love  of  God  was  fo  great  in  my  heart, 
that  I  thought  I  ihould  have  fallen  to  the  ground, 
and  from  that  time  I  have  had  a  fteadfafl  confi- 
dence, and  a  lafting  peace :  and  no  other  do6lrine 
than  that  I  heard  from  the  beginning,  hath  any 
place  in  my  mind  unto  this  day. 

I  defire  that  you,  and  all  the  brethren  would  pray 
that  I  may  ftand  faft  unto  the  end.  The  Lord 
works  very  vifibly  and  powerfully  among  us  :  we 
have  frefti  tokens  of  his  grace  every  week,  yea  in 
fome  weeks  fix  or  feven  are  brought  to  the  know- 
ledge of  falvation  by  the  remlffion  of  their  fins  \ 
and  man)  rho  have  been  defpifers,  arc  now  thank- 
ing 


[  «S5  ] 
ing  God  who  hath  opened  their  eyes.     The  Lord 
generally  maketh  a  fhort  work  among  us;    fomc 
have  found  the  glad  tidings  experimentally  true  in 
three  times  hearing. 

At  my  coming  into  this  country,  nomanftood 
with  me,  but  my  name  was  caft  out  by  profeflors 
and  profane,  fo  that  I  was  like  an  owl  in  the  de- 
fert  ;  but  a  few  who  were  brui fed  by  the  hand  of 
God  foon  heard  of,  and  received  the  doflrine  of 
confcious  pardon,  and  in  a  little  time  feven  of 
them  found  it  verified  in  themftlves :  but  Mr. 
I — m  reproved  them  for  ccnfefhiig  it  before  the 
world  :  accordingly  he  fent  for  me,,  and  de- 
fired  me  not  to  fpcak  fo  bold!),  it  would 
make  the  country  ufe  us  ill.  I  tcld  him  if  every 
man  in  the  world  was  to  caft  ftones  at  me,  I  would 
tell  what  God  had  done  for  my  foul,  and  v/hat  he 
is  willing  to  do  for  others:  for  I  loved  all  man- 
kind,   and  feared  no  man. 

1  he  people  of  the  neighbouring  towns  have  fre- 
quently fent  for  me,  to  hear  of  this  new  doQ:rine  : 
for  they  were  quite  fure  that  no  man  could  know 
his  fins  forgiven  in  this  world.  But  I  proved  it 
from  the  written  word  of  God,  and  from  the  doc- 
trine of  the  church  of  England.  In  a  little  time 
many  cried  out,  "  Lord  grant  this  thing  unto  me !" 
Our  number  of  believers  foon  increafed  to  thirty  ; 
then  I  found  1  muft  fpeak  publicly  among  them, 
for  the  people  thronged,  and  filled  my.  houfe.  In 
thii  I  found  cowardlinefs  in  my  flefh,  and  craved 
for  death,  or  that  God  would  take  my  fpeech  from 
me  rather  than  call  me  to  it :  but  flill  I  found  my 
mind  full  of  matter,  and  when  I  fpoke,  the  peo- 
ple ftarted  as  if  I  had  thrown  fire-brands  at  them. 
So  the  Lord  fetting  to  his  feal,  and  owning  the 
word,  I  had  not  any  excufe ;  then  I  faid.  Lord, 
if  thou  fendeft  me  to  hell  to  preach  to  devf.'s,  thy 

will 


n 


>iil  be  \jOT\t,  At  the  people's  requefl,  I  now 
preach  every  night  lathe  v/eek  in  general,  and  the 
svork  increafes  much,  and  yet  I  am  (in  a  fenfe) 
rilorje.     I  want  to  have  fome  correfpondence  with 

xv'Ir.  W y,  my  heart  is  knit  to  him,  as  the  heart 

of  oncj  man,  and  fo  are  many  of  the  children  which 
God  lias  called  by  my  mouth.  Some  of  them  in- 
d-  ed  tailerh  into  flillnefs,  and  they  fay  I  have  the 
fpiiitof  convi-Slion,  but  not  fhe  gift  of  building  up 
of  iDuIs:  but  however  thofe  who  ftand  fail  as  they 
received  Chrift,  they  are  more  holy  and  happy, 
and  To  I  think  as  well  built  up. 

I  bee:  you  would  let  Mr.  W — y  know  how  all 
'->  with  us,  and  defire  him  to  pray  for  me,  for  I  owe 
rnyfeU  unto  him:  entreat  him  to  fend  me  a  letter, 
and  let  me  know  h^s  mind  of  thefe  matters.  Give 
rny  kind  love  to  all  friends  with  you  :  I  fhould  be  J 
glad  to  hear  from  you.  '«| 

I  remain  your  unwvj-rthy  Brother  in  Chrift,  i 

J.  N.^# 


L    E    T     T  ^  E     R       LXVIII. 

Rev.  Sir,  May  4th,   1741. 

VV  HEN  you  left  Briftol  I  had  a  great  fight  of 
the  promifcd  land,  aud  furely  I  did  tafte  of  the 
fruit  thereof:  but  now  it  feems  at  a  greater  dif- 
tance,  yet  I  cannot  doubt  but  my  Lord  will  ap- 
pear the  fecond  time,  without  fm  unto  falvation, 
and  it  may  be  very  fuddenly.  O  that  I  may  be 
found  watching!  fometlm-^s  I  find  my  foul  fo  poor 
anJ  heavy,  fo  dull,  and  naked  of  fpiritual  comfort, 
that  I  have  nothing  left  but  a  fenfe  of  pardoning 
love  :    Yet  at  fuch  times  I  have  foimd  a  greater 

refignation 


[  157  ] 

refignatlon   ta  the  will  of  God,     than  at   fprne 
others. 

I  earneftly  long  to  do  tijic  will  df  my  heavenly 
Father  None  but  the  icarcher  of  hearts  knows 
how  my  foul  thirfts  to  lovp  and  ,^bey  him.  My 
fpirit  groans  to  he  delivered  f  oni  the  bondage  of 
corruption  :  1  want  to  be  nearer  to  Chrill:  and  to 
become  one  fpirit  with  hirn,  in  a  fuller  lenfe  of 
the  word,  than  I  have  yet  attained.  ' 

Since  the  beginning  of  laft  week  I  have  had,'al- 
moft  continually,  a  finking  and  deprtfllon  in  my 
fpirit,  attended  with  an  inward  trembling,  v/hich 
fo  affe8:s  my  bcdy,  as  if  my  life  was  departing 
from  me.  O  that  it  might  be  a  fymptom  of  the 
old  man's  death.  O  that  Chrill  might  be  fully 
formed  in  me.  This  clofe  exercife  of  mind  brings 
fuch  a  lownefs  of  fpirit,  and  inward  mourning, 
that  my  heart  feems  to  bleed  with  contrition,"  arid 
I  could  be  content  to  weep  my  life  away  at  the  feet 
of  Jefus:  in  the  midft  of  this  I  find  fettled  peace, 
and  fclid  comfort. 

In  this  flate,  I  do  not  find  I  can  a{k,    or  defire 
joy  or  grief,  light  or  darknefs.  but  to  be  kept  from 
oftend'ng  God,  and  empowered  to  ufe,  as  I  ought, 
the  talents  he  g'lves  me,  ihat  they  may  anfwer  the 
ends  of  his  glory, my  advantage,and  his  people's  good. 
I  never  fee  the  power  of  God  morcvifibly,  than  when 
it  is  perfefted  in  my  weakne'Sjin  doing  theleaH.  eood 
to  anypther:  for  many  times  T  cannot  hefp  alking 
pardon  of  my  Lord  for  my  poor,  yea  finfiil  manner 
of  performing  my  duty  in  an)  rc^'pei^  ;    and  efpe- 
cia'ly.in  admonjfhing  and  reproving  others  •    and 
yet  th'i. Lord  doth  frequently  bie/s  to  others,  thofe 
labours  T  Irive  ne^d  to  repent  of  my feff.'.    ^t  the 
prefent   }  find  liich  felf-abafernerit,    as   makesmc 
x  hateful  to  myfelf  when  others  fpea]^  wtU  of  me. 
1        ■  '''  p  .     '  I  find 


[  i5«  3 
I  find  I  can  now  declare  my  rhind  unto  you  with 
grear  ijtedom,  as  irequcnd.  I  can  in  writing  unlo 
others;  :^nci  thcugk  I',pi.ak  from  the  ovcitiouing 
love,  and  great  abunds.nce  of  my  heart,  yet  1  am 
afraid  ]f.a{t  this  fh.ould  be  a  means  ot  tlitir  thinking 
of  nie  above  what  1  really  am.,  i  am  fo  fuJl  of 
weikn'^fTes  and  ii^firrniuec),  that  i  fear  Itaft  my  ccn- 
verialionfh<  uld  rather  be  a'ltumbiirig-block,  than 
an  agreeable  exumpie.  i  hiive  ofien  reflected  upon 
myfclf  for  my  bein;^  kfs  watchrui  at  Tome  oUier 
times,  than  when  in  your  prefence.  If  I  always 
faw  mv  fe!f  as  feen  by  my  maker,  f  fhould  net  be 
liable  to  thefe  changes. '  I  couid  at  this  time  tell 
ycu  the  innicft  fecrets  of  my  heart ;  and  1  could 
be  willing  that  there  were  a  window  opened  in  my 
breaft,  that  all  the  children  of  God  might  lee  every 
thing  which  pafl'es  there. 

It  is  not  fo  cafy  a  mxatter  to  difcover  the  ftate  of 
another,  by  the  flri£teft  perfonal  examination,  as 
by  a  daily  oblervation  of  their  behaviour  in  their 
refpeftive  callings,  how  they  fpehd  their  time  in 
private,  and  whether  they  buy  up  every  opportu- 
nity of  doing:  good.  If  our  foul  is  but  yet  partly 
renewed  in  the  image  of  God,  there  is  not  any 
timiC  for  trifling  ;  and  if  it  is  v/hol!y  renewed,  there 
15  not  any  inclination  unto  it,  but  an  infatiate  dc- 
fire  of  doing  every  thing  for  God.  They  fay, 
my  Father  worketh  hitherto,  and  I  work.  O  that 
none  of  us  whcj  have  received  grace,  may  ever  be 
guilty  of  waft  ng  our  Lord's  goods,  or  neglecting 
the  improvement  of  the  talents  we  have  delivered 
unto  us.  But,  O  Lord,  grant  that  we  may  be 
burtiirg  and  (hining  lights,  and  adorn  thy  gofpel 
in  all  things.  O  that  I  may  be  a  p^arl  in  your 
crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  day  of  the  Lord. 

I  am  your  unworthy  Friend  in  Chrift, 

,  S.  D. 

LET- 


I 


[  159  ] 

LETTER     LX. 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  Augud.  23,  1742. 


Dcfirc  to  praife  the  Lord,  1  find  h^  h  ftil!  witli 
me,  and  I  tru(]b  he  wiil  continue  with  me  in  all 
my  temptations.  When  the  cremy  comes  in  as  a 
flood,  the  ipirit  of  the  Lord  lifts  up  a  flandard 
againli  him  :  when  troubles  are  ac  hand,  I  go  and 
f  ill  down  before, him*  and  humbly  aft.  his  help,  and 
he  comforts  me  with  his  love,  and  makes  a  v/ay  for 
my  efcape,  fo  that  I  am  able  to  bear  them.  I  am 
happ)  beyond  all  exprelTion  when  I  feel  and  knew 
tha»  Jetus  loves  me,  even  me,  a  poor,  weak,  fmful 
creature:  I  am  frequently  imfaithfi;!,  and  at  every 
turn  grieving  the  holy  fpirit,  and  yet  his  love  is 
not  t'dken  from  me,  but  very  great  toward  me.  I 
pray  I  never  may  be  left  to  my  own  deceitful  heart, 
for  then  I  (hall  run  into  ail  manner  of  wickednefs, 
hvt  may  I  be  kept  by  thy  power,  O  Lord,  i/irougk 
Ja-t^  unto  (nil  fa  "jstion. 

D^ar  Sir,  the  time,  I  believe  is  haftening  c^, 
v^h<  n  I  (hall  rejoice  evermore,  prey  'without  cerfinZy 
and  in  evrry  thin^  ^ive  thanks ,  fcr  this  is  the  vjill  of 
G«  d  in  Chr'fiy ^f us  concerning  f!ie.  The  hope  of 
this  IS  a  bl'tiring  untonie,  it  lift'o  ZVj  fiinring  fpirits 
up,  and  quickens  every  power  of  my  mind.  Lafl 
Su  id'>y  I  was  at  St  Paul's,  I  felt  the  love  of  Go4 
fo  ih-d  abroad  in  my  heart,  as  I  cannot  exprefs, 
and  ''uch  rweetnefs,  and  joy  in  my  foul,  as  mj 
tongue  can  never  explain.  Meed  his  nane  was  as 
vintment  poured  forth',  and  this  I  can  truly  fay    ' 

".  'I  hy  name  a  Tweeter  odour  caft, 
•*  Than  Lebanon  with  cedars  grac'd." 

Pa  I  had 


I  i6o  ] 

I  had  fiich  glorious  thoughts  and  apprehenficiis 
of  God  as  I  never  had  in  all  rny  life  before  :  and 
furely  I  had  atafle  of  that  perfe6^  love  of  God, 
■with  whJch  I  hope  to  be  filled  to  all  cteInit3^  O 
how  1  long  for  the  meek  and  lowly  mind  which  is 
ajfo  in  Chriftl  then,  only  then  fhall  I  find  reft  to 
ttij  foul.'  .       .  . 

I  have  many  trials  and  temptations,  and  feme- 
times  I  am  afraid  I  fhall  fall  by  them.  JViihout  are 
fightings  and  iviihtn  are  jears-'^  but  I  pray  to  be  de- 
iiveied  from  the  plague  of  mv  own  heart,  which 
IS  worfe  than, any  thing  elfe  to  me,  and  I  find  help.  I 
begy-bu  would"  ah\)  pray  for  me  thatlmay  nof  faint 
in  the  end,  but  th^t  1  may  fun  with  fteady  patience, 
the  race  fet'before  me  ;  a-iways  looking  unto  Jefus 
who  has  been  fhe  author  until  he  become  the  finilh- 
€r  of  my  faith. 

,'  My  mafter^s  behaviour  is  often  a  very  great  bur- 
then and  trial  to  me,  yet  even  in  this,  when  I  look 
tQ  jefus,  f  am  a  fcon^ueror.  One  or  other  of  the 
ftill  brethren  are  often  with  him,  and  I  think  he 
jfeems  to  incline  to  their  way  very  much,  he  fays 
there  is  much  fweetnefs  and  love  among  ihcm. 
When  I  tell  him  v/hat  I  think  of  him,  he  tells  me, 
I  cannot  fee  all  things  clearly  yet,  and  what  is  fin  to 
rne  may  net  be  fo  to  him  :  1  think  by  this  rule  one 
Mii^ht  have  an  excufe'for  the  breach  of  any  ccm- 
rna'ndment.  That  which  is  (inful  in  itfelf,  is  finful 
to  every  one  who  does  it.  But  I  leave  them  to 
their  own  mafter  tciland  or  falf'v  although  I  know 
by  experience,  to  be  in  their. company,  is  hurtful 
tome.  jl.r   -  '.,    .fi,;. 

I  defire  to  know  nothing  but  Jefus  Chpift,  and 
him  crucified,  and  fimply  to  love  and  follow  him 
whitherfoever  he  goeth,  through  fire  aqd  water, 
and  all  trials  he  may  permit  to  come  upon  rne  till 
he  brings  me  into  the  wealthy  place.      I  truft  he 

iv'ill 


[     i6i     ] 

will  give  me  power  to  deny  myfclf,  and  take  up 
my  crofs  daily.  I  have  yet  many  fooli<>i,and  hurtful 
defires ;  but  the  ftrongeft  is  that  offollowin^  Jefus; 
and  [  fay  of  ihe  ether,  thefe  fhalj  he  dcftroy  by  tJrt 
fptrit  of  his  mouthy  and  by  the  hrichtneft  of  /^'/  'yj^-^ 
fearing,  I  am  lefs  than  the  leaft  of  all  my  father's 
children,  yet  I  truft  I  fnall  be  a  jewel  in  the  Lord't 
cabinet,  and  your  crown  of  rejoicing"  in  that  day 
which  is  approaching.  I  fhould  be  glad  of  a  few- 
lines  from  you,  if  it  was  the  Lord's  will,  if  not, 
his  will  be  done.  May  the  Lord  dire6b  and  bi^fi 
you  in  all  you  do  and  fay,  and  fill  you  with  the 
biefling  of  the  gofpel  of  peace. 

I  am  your  unworthy  Sifter,  ^c. 

E.  H. 

LETTER        LXL 

My  dear  Friend, 


H 


Ftherto  God  has  helped  me?  I  ftill  defire  to 
be  inwardly,  and  ■perfe6tly,  fan6tified,  united  Xd 
Chri/f,  filled  With  God,  and  guided -by  the  Holy 
Ghofl:.  I  delight  in  God  above  all  temporary 
good,  yet  I  have  not  perfe6i:  love,  L have  not  re» 
ceived  the  littlfe"  child  m  the  riarrie  of  Jefus'  My 
conceptions  of  chriftian  perfe6lion  ;  may  be  fome- 
times  too  high,  and  at  other  feafons  too  l:»w.  The 
mce  I  know  oi  God  and  myfclf,  the  more  I  am. 
fienfible  th  -t  I  knew  littl  .^  of  f  ither  I  Lcve  is  that  by 
which  I  u  d  rftand  moft  of  his  nature.  Light  i< 
that  whtreb  I  conceive  beft  of  his  glory.  O! 
what  nied  of  taith,  t:  cift  down  realonings  I  and 
of  divine  love  to  fatisfy  the  '^mpty  and  hungry  Toull 
Chriftian  converfatibn  has  been  eininently  bleft  to 
P  3  «nc| 


me ;  and  now  that  I  am  in  a  great  meafure  deprive- 
ed  ot  iU  I  pray  that  Jefus  would  manifeft  himfclf 
to  me  more  than  ever.  .  May  h&  convince,  me  of 
what  is  wrong  in  my  heart,  and  manner  of  life; 
ap;i-  }et  if  he  did  not  fuftain  mc,  this  convidion 
VolIc  be  intqleratle!  I  hope  you,  and  my  other 
dt^r  fy.rnds  pray  for  me.     6  !   that  1  may  be  found . 

faithful.      My  kindeft  love  to &c.   peace,    be 

with  you ;  and  may  I  fee  you  agam  tliat  v^e  may 
prii!i<   the  Lord  together.      ..:  - 

1  am  your'aiTt6tionate  Brother,  &c. 

T.  W. 

L    .|..S^.,T.E    R      LXII. 

My  dear  Brother, 

JL  HE  late  converfation  we  had,  ;  together  with 
your  i-avour  in  writing  caufed  much  unity  of  fpirit 
with.  you.  I  have  often  thought  the  wifdom  and 
xindeiftanding  which  God  has  given  you,  will 
prove  in  effect  a  misfortune,  linlcfs  you- ^re  care- 
ful to  join  with  them  the  fimpiicity  qt  a  little  child ; 
ijuwce  jpu  muft  pecefTarily  lole  much  of  the  Ayeet 
converfation  of  the  limplc  followers  of  the  jf^'amb 
from  the  very  notion  tht;y  have  of  you,  > 

I  know  yop  clearly  fee  that  all  gifts  withotit  cha- 
rity Avill  profit  you  nothing,  and  i  trull  your  con- 
tiijual  prayer  to  God  is,  that  with  all  his  other 
HelHngs,  he  wpuld  increafe  .in  you  abundantly 
cvqn  this  grace;  of  the  Spirit. 

I  know  the  will  of  God  concerning  you  is  that 
you  IhoUid  be  perfe<5t  and  entire,  lacking  nothing. 
With'refpecl  to  your,  prefent  trials,  you  may  re- 
^uember  1  told  you  I  was  UQt  altogether  a  llranger 

to 


[  163  ] 

CO  it,  from  the  apprelienflon  of  its  being  e'er  long 
my  own  cafe,  -and  therefore  I  have  'inuve<rrnyieit 
to  the  lofs  of  any  ov  all  things  if  the  Lord  call  mc 
to  It. 

One  day  in  my  retired  monrents,  the  language 
of  my  heart  was,  "  Lord  I  cannot  bear  fiich  and 
fuch  a  trial  with  the  grace  I  have,  I  pray  thee  give 
me  more ; "  and  that  fcripture  was  applied  with 
great  clearnefs,  **  I  will  b-  a  father  to  the  father- 
lefs,  and  defend  the  cauie  of  the  widow.  "  O  may 
the  Lord  give  you  to  feel  from  thofe  blefied  words 
what  he  did  to  unworthy  me :  I  had  not  the  leaft 
fcruple  left,  but  was  enabled  fully  to  cafl:  my  c*<rc 
upon  the  Lord.  I  know  my  God  iliali  fupply  all 
my  wants  out  of  his  abundant  fullnefsl  doubt  not 
my  brother,  but  that  he  whofe  you  are,  and, 
whom  you  ferve>  will  be  with  you,  and  when  you 
pafs  through  the  fire  it  fhall  not  burn  you,  neither 
il^all  the  waters  overflow  you:  this  dark  and  clou- 
dy day '{hall  e'er  long  end  infunfhine!  only  be' 
faithful,  be  obedient.       , 

At  prefenc  my  hu&and  and  child  are  in  a  bati 
ftate  of  health.  The  Lord  is  Tifiiing  both  your 
houle,  and  mine  ;  and  this  I  am  certain  of,  it  is  in 
great  love  to  our  fou -s  I  he  wijl^hat^  us  pafs  thro' 
and  thro'  the  fire,  till  we  leave 'all  our  drofs,  and 
come  forth  more  pure  than^i^e  gold!  May  the 
gracious  defigns  ot  a  dear  Redeemer  be  anfwer^d 
i^pon  us  for  his  nanies  fake ! 

My  kind  love  to  )^our  dear  wife,  if  in  the  lahd 
of  the,  living:  tell  her  fhe  has  reafon  to  bjefs  the 
Lord  from,  the  rifing  of  the  fun  to  the  going  down 
thereof.  '       '  -         •       • 

He  is  cutting  Ihort:  his  work  in  righteoufnefs. 
He  is  about  to  take  her  from 't^ie 'evil  to  trotnef 
the^  angels  are,  hovering  round  her,  to  do  their 
Jaft  and  moft' delightful  ofiice!"tacdnVey4ier-fotil 

into 


[  K^4] 
into  Abraham's  bo fcm!  then  all  will  be  broid 
ctvfrniiy!  all  linhr!  ail  love'  then  her  happy  fpl- 
jit  ili.iil  .-^•e-itly  mjiiglc  with  ^thofe  around  the 
throne,  and  fmg  hallelujah  to  God  and  the  Lamb, 
ioc  ever  and  ever.  J  truil  our  prayers  to  God 
toi-  you  v/ill  not  be  wanting, 

From  your  i;ffectionate  Sifter  in  Chrift. 

h  E    r  T  E  R     LXilf. 
Dear  and  worthy  Sir,  ]uWjy,  1.742. 

Very  heartily  embrace  this  opporttinf^b'^Hvrit*. 
ing  my  mind  unto  yoUj  to  inform  you  what  the 
Lord  has  been  doing  for,  and  in  my  foul.  Since 
I  was  v/ith  you  in  Branford,  we  began  our  march, 
and  fuch  a  one  I  never  Had  before.  Wh^n  I  came 
tO'xiiy  quarters  the  firft  night,  Ihad  not  anyplace- 
of  fecrecy  for  prayer :  but  I  made  a  clofet  of  the 
neccfTai'y  place,  and  Chrifl:  made  a  paradife  6f  it 
ijnto  me.  Here  I  met  my  divine  mafter.  He  is 
no  refpecter  of  places,  more  than  perfons.  I  could 
have  been  contented  to  have  made  that  place  which 
^as  my  clofet,  and  my  paradife,  my  bed  alfo,  for 
the  inexpreffible  fweetnefs  1  felt  in  the  prefencc 
and  love  of  my  Redeemer.     " '  ^'  '  "''^^^^^  '  ■ "  ■  "'^'^  ^ 

The  next  night  when  I  came  to  my  quiartcrs, 
I  was,  if  poffible,  many  times  more  happy  than 
before.  O  the  fweet  prefence  of  Chrift  which  I 
ihere  found!  I  cannot  forbear  to  fpeak  of  it,  and 
yet  an  angelic  tongue  cannot  defcribe  it.  What 
wondrous  work  is  this  he  hath  done  in  my 
ppor  Jieart!  I. am  as  if  I  was  filled  with  ^he  love 
pf  God,  and  fwallowed  up  with  the  thoughts  of 
tCod,  and  hit  love  towards  me !  when  I  think  of 

hi> 


L  165  1 

Ills  having  fixed  his  love  on  fuch  a  vile  unworthy 
creature  as  me,  who  hy  uafme  was  as  black  as  hell, 
I  am  melted  intotears.  O  the  love  of  Chrift  to 
poor  iinners"!  he  is -fairer  than  the  Tons  o£men: 
yea  he  is  the  chiefeft  ailiong  ten  thoufand,  and  al- 
together lovely.  I  was  going  orj  in  the  broad  way 
to  deftruclion^  but  he  prt^vt^nted  me  by  the  blcTs- 
ings  of  his  goodnefs  :  if  he  had  not  had  coinpaf- 
,/iononme,  where  (hould  I  have  laiided  ?  furely 
I  muft  have  landed  in  hell.  O  my  dear  Lord, 
how  fhall  I  niourn  for  my  ilns;  how  flialf  I  praife 
thee  for  the  pardon  of  them !  coniider  O  my  .foul 
the  countlefs  multitudes  of  beneiits  th'v  God  has 
befiiowed  upon  thee,  and  be  thou  confoumicd" 
and  aihamed  of  thy  ingrrititude. 

I  entreat  almighty  God  to  give  me  help,  th'a'^  I', 
may  prefs  forward  toward  the  mark,  for  the  prizt 
of  the  high  calUng  of  God  In  Chrijl  Jefus.     For  f  ; 
ara  not  to  re(l  in  any  thing,  oi;  h\.^^^  mearure_of 
grace  attained  on  this  fide  of  heaven |  but.ffin  be. 
feeking  after  farther  difcoveries  of  Cliriil,  ilnti!  f " 
enter  within  the  vail,  where  the  wicked  ceafe  from' 
troubling  and  the  weary  en'oy  ah  cverliiuing  reft." 
O  for   perfect  freedom   from   lin  !  yet  it^  cleaves  ' 
unto  me  in  all  my  duties ;  I  cannot  jgf  t  rftL  df  it, 
however  I  Ihall  one  day  be  free 

I  had  only  one  in  the  whole  troop,  who  woiJcL' 
converfe  and  pray  with  me,  and  he  is"  gone  after-''^ 
the  other :  the  dog  is  returned  to  hi^  vomit,  and  • 
the  fow  to  her  wallowing  in  the  mirei  fo  .1  am  left 
alone  among  a  company  of  bears  and  lions.    But 
Qod    is     all-fufhcient :      he    adds    propbrtionatc* 
firength  to  my  faith,  for  which  I  thank  his  dear  - 
name.     1  hope,  dear  Sir,  you   wil)  cxcufe  me  in 
writing  unto  you,  and  take  the  trouble  to  read 
this,  for  I  had  no  body  to  break  my  mind  to.     I 
would  have  got  fome  body  to  have  wrote  for  me, 

to 


[i66] 

to  have  done  it  better,  but  they  would  have 
thought  me  mad  for  writing  fo  much  no  ifenfe. 
If  you  would  be  fo  kind  as  to  fend  me  two  or 
three  lines,  they  would  be  fweet  as  honey  to  me. 
So  no  more  at  prefent  from 

Your  loving  Brother  and  humble  Servant, 

J.  H.^v 

^r^^  %'^/  *">^'  'W  ^'  r  ^'  W  ••<  %"  '  i     "^  ^  I  •  JF  ^m  ^ 

LETTER      LXIV. 


G 


lev.  Sir,  October  2,  17421 


OD  has  been  pleafc'd  to  make  my  jou-ney 
much  ihorter  than  i  ciipecced  v,hf-n  I  Idt  you. 
When  I  met  mv  filters  in  brnd  on  Monday  night, 
they  all  Itrove  to  comfoft  me  under  the  crofs. 
The  day  I  fet  out  two  of  them  joined  \y\xh.  me  iti 
prayer,  and  my  foul  was  much  comforted  and 
ftrengthened  ;  1  reiigned  myfelf  into  the  hands  of 
God,  looking  upon  inylelf  to  beflripl  of  all  out- 
ward he'ps,  1  r-rifr  myfelf  upon  the  never-failing, 
and  great  mercies  of  God. 

It  wis  on  Friday  I  fet  out,  T  found  the  Lord 
very  prefent  with  me'on  the  way.  When  1  came, 
to  the  inn  on  '•'aturdly,  F  aOced  the  maid  whether " 
they  got  un\Z  CO  Z<^  ^'o  church  there,  or  no^  /he 
faid  they  were  to  have  liberiy  v^  go  to  chui'ch, 
but  that  they  very  feldom  had.  On  Sunday  I 
went  to  church*  but  thought  it  ftrange  to  hciii-  a 
few  finging,  and  all  the  reft  unconcerned  in  the 
matter.  \*  hen  I  returned  back  agaiii,  one  aiked 
me  how  I  liked  their  church,  1  anfwered,  there 
were  but  a  few  people  in  it  which  was  a  want.  He 
then  beoan  monftrouHy  to  condemn  the  minifter, 
and  fws;  .*•  he  could  make  as  good  a  fermon   him- 

fclf. 


[  167  ] 
felf.  I  told  him  If  he  was  a  preacher  he  wouid 
lead  men  to  hell,  not  to  heaven :  his  nioutii  was 
flopped,  and  he  looked  confounded,  while  all  in 
the  room  looked  one  on  another.  After  the  even- 
ing fei  vice  I  fpent  my  time  in  reading,  iinging, 
and  praying  :  my  lieart  was  in  great  peace,  yet  1 
could  but  mourn  as  a  dove  in  my  folitude.  f  Teem- 
ed as  a  (heep  wandered  from  the  fold,  or  as  a  branch 
cur  oflF  from  the  vine,  or  a  member  from  the  body  : 
my  heart  is  fo  united  unto  my  fillers  m  band, 
that  when  I  am  frx>m  them,  I  think  pan  of  myfelf 
is  wantiri^.  O  the  blpffedncfs  of  tlr^  communion 
of  fain :s  I  I  often  t.hmk  of  the  hippm-c-fs  my  bne- 
thrtn  and  filters  enjoy,  and  it  causes  me  to  giieve 
that  I  am  abfent  from  them:  which  fometimes  makes 
me  fear  that  1  love  the  cbildi  en  of  God  better  than 
their  I  ather,  and  the  m.eaiis  of  grace  better  than  the 
Will  oi  God.  It  is  enough  that  Jefus  loveth  me, 
and  btareth  me  up  in  hib  arms.  i  iiis  fight  and 
fenfe  of  God's  prefence  made  me  aftiarned  of  my 
grieving,  and  comforted  me  gjeatly:  my  heart 
vvys  i's  melted  wax,  and  my  foul  was.  much  Jium- 
bied  before  God. 

On  'Monday  I  fpake  freely  to  two  women  in  the 
Waggon,  one  of  which  was  a  Scotch  woman  ;  fhe 
told  me  the  people,  of  S  :  dand  loved  Ci^d,  and 
kept  the  fabbath  ^b  ftrictly  «hat  onemuft  not  carry 
water  through  the  dreets  on  that  day.  InHeed  (he 
had  a  good  defire  to  be  laved.  I  exhorted  her  to 
pray,  and  not  faint,,  not  even  for  wandeiin/ 
thoughts,  of  which  fhe  complained.  Wh:!^  I  de- 
fired  the  other  not  to  fwcar,  {he  told  mc  I  fiiould 
quarrel  with  my  huil'Jand,  if  \  wo'jIJ  not  let  him 
fwear. 

When  I  met  ir.y  hufb:ind  he  could  not  fpeak  for 
joy  to  fee  nu  ;  i  was  alfb  vc'ry  glar  to  f»:f  him,  Hit 
diti  not  feel  that  great  flutter  in  my  breali:,  as  I  '^id 
■^:  '  upon 


[  168  ] 

upon  any  fudden  joy,  before  I  was  united  ^fo  God, 
Many  came  to  welcome  me  to  Portf'moiith,  and 
picfefifed  to  be  glad  to  fee  me;  but  when  I  open- 
ed my  mouth  to  reprove  them  for  fwearing-,  they 
all  fled  :iw^.y  from  me. 

As  fcon  as  I  was  alone  with  my  hu(band  he  told 
me  he' had  been  in  very  great  dangers  at  fea  :  laik- 
<  d  him,  if  be  had  been  killed  then,  what  would 
have  beei  his  everlarting  ftate  }  "  If  I  had  died 
I.  fhvHiUi  have  been  faved  for  the  fake  of  Chrilf  who 
(^]cd  to  redeem  all  men."  I  faid,  do  you  think  >ou 
deferve  hell  ?  '*  No,  my  dear,  for  I  do  not  fwear 
*'  'and  game  as  bad  as  my  companions.*'  I  told 
him,  your  heart  is  juft  the  faine  wirh  theirs,  only 
the  grace  of  God  retrains  you  more  than  they  ; 
you  have  never  done  one  good  th ^ng  in  }  cur  life, 
but  has  always  finned  againlT-  God,  continually  : 
he  was  g-reatly  ftruck  at  that  exprelTion,' his  heart 
condemned  him,  and  he  began  to  rehnt,  and  afked 
if  I  had  any  petition  to  afk  of  God  in  his  behalf. 
I  pr?.ycd  with  him  with  gre"at  freedom  and  errlarge- 
ment  of  spirit,  and  confidence  in  God  ;  his  eyes 
were  melted  into  many  tears,  and  he  faid,  **  I  am 
<«  vet-y  wicked  indeed.  It  1  couUI  live  with  you  I 
''  fhould  lovf  God,  bu.^  it  is  impoiTible  on  board 
**  a  man  of  war."  1  faid,  all  things  are  poflible 
wirh  God,  He  is  rble  to  fav^  unto  the  uttenmjiy 
either  by  land  or  f<':a.  When  he  alkcd  me  to  iiee 
the  ViciorV'man  of  war,  I  tcld  him  if  all  tlie  cu- 
riofities  of  the  worl J  coulj  be  brought  tos^ether  in 
one  p'acp,  I  v\'ould  not  lofe  the  time  to  fee  tliem, 
I  could  fpend  it  better.  In  fhort,  I  fpake  veryifiee- 
ly  unto  him  of  the  things  appertaining  to  the  king- 
dom of  God. 

He  faid,  he  once  read  fo  much  till  he  was  ajmoil 
melancholy  at  the  fight  of  his  own  wickednefs,'and/ 
had  like  to  have  gone   into  defpair  •,    he  told  the 

chap- 


I  1^9  3 
chaplain  of  li-,   who  bid  him  leave  off  reading  Co 
much,    and  he  would  be  well  again  ;    I  told  him 
the  chaplain  was  not  his  friend,    for  that  God  was 
ftrivingtol3r.ingliim  to  a  good  date.     He  revealed 
his  fins  unto  him  that  he  might  through  penitence, 
and  faith  in  Chriil:  be  forgiven.     He  faid  alfo,  you 
once  told  me  in  one  of  your  letters  that  you  did 
not   know  till   lately  the   nature  of  true   religion, 
now  you  do :  O  that  I  might  know  the  fame,  but* 
tf  we  fo  much  as  go  to  prayer  here,  we  are  laugh- 
ed at  and  reviled;  and  ho^v  fhouid  one  know  reh- 
glon,  and  be  acquainted  with  God,  if  one  has  not 
opportunity  -to  enquire -of  him   in  prayer?    I  an- 
fwered,    my  dear,    you  fhouid  not  he  kept  from 
prayer  for  the   fear  of  heing  laughed  at,    for  this 
would  be  the  cafe  if  you  were  not  -on  boariJ  a  Ihip  : 
I,  you  know  am  in  l^ondon  joined  unto  a  fbciety 
of  people  who  are  feeki'ne;  th^'  Lord,  and  the  men 
of  this  world  fay  all   manner  of  evil  of  us  falfely. 
So  It  was  ever  fince  the  fiir*.   perfecutfon  began  in 
Clin,    and  it  has  been  continued,    in   one  way  or 
other,  everfince.     If  you  wasinl'.ondon,  androfe 
at  five  o'clock  every  morning,  ^  1  do,  to  hear  the 
fcriptures expounded,  the  r^cn.who.know  not  God, 
would  think  you  mad,  therefore  1  fay  we  muH  not 
be  kept  from  religion  by  a  little  foolifh    laughter, 
or  rf  we  fhouid  fafFer  greater  inccnveniencics. 

{  V/'a«i  at  Portfmouth  only  one  cby,  and  then  fet 
out  for  London  ag^ji^, .  ,JL  was.in  mg,ny  ten^ptations, 
but  I  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  flreniithencd 
me.  Firit,,  fatan  teinpted  rde  to:  think  my  friends 
did  not  love  me,  but  I  thought  if  God  loves  me, 
it  is  enough  :  then  he  tempted  me  to  Iaiiss;h  at  idle 
things',  and  to  fay  light  words,  I  cried  unto 
the  Lord,  Lord  fave  me  or  I  pertfh,  and  I  found 
help  in  time  of  need.  There  v; ere  but  two  perfcns 
in  pompany  with  mc,  [  fpeak  of  their  fwearing 
Qw  again 


again  and  ag^in,  but  with  little  fuccefs.     A  ft-agc- 
player  came  in  by  the  way,   when  I  reproved  him^ 
he  laid  nothing,  but  Teemed  in  much  confufion. 
'  When  I  came  home  my  fpirit  rejoiced  greatly. 

0  how  I  love  the  ordinances  and  people  of  God  ! 

1  have  a  fmall  trial,  in  want  of  work,  but  the  trou- 
hle  of  it  docs  not  tarry  long,  I  fly  unto  the  Saviour, 
and  he  taketh  it  away.  Yet  the  thoughts  of  my 
poor  hufband's  condition  return  upon  me,  and  fo 
opprefs  me  that  I  am  well  nigh  overcome.  My 
foul  is  wonderfully  drawn  out  in  agonizing  prayer 
for  him.  It  may  be  the  Lord  wril  have  compaf- 
fion  on  him.  Cries,  and  tears,  and  prayers  (hall 
not  be  wanting  in  his  behalf. 

Finally,  the  Lord,  fheweth  me  that  my  heart  is 
polluted  with  all  rrianner  of  fin  ;  I  draw  near  unto 
him  as  a  man  full  of  difeafes  to  a  ph) Tician  from 
whom  he  expe£ts  help.  I  doubt  not  but  his  blood 
will  heal  all  my  maladies,  and  make  me  throughly 
whole.  Now,  vt^hen  I  pray  my  heart  appeareth, 
fo  unclean,  compared  with  the  holinefs  of  my 
Maker,  that  I  am  afliamed,  and  blufh  before  him, 
while  I  remain  in  profound  filence,  quite  helplefs 
at  his  feet.  Here  I  defire  to  be,  here  t  am  deter- 
mined to  wait,  till  the  Lordmakethme.ashe  wilU 
Dear  Sir,  pray  for  . 

Your  weakeft  daughter  In  Chrifl, 

LETTER      LXV. 

'    Rev.  Sir,  London,  July  5,  1742- 

M,    HE  following  lines  are   the  refult  of  great ^ 
joy  which   I  aUnoft  continually  feel  in  my  heart :  ^ 

'?.  •    :n^-,   ''the 


[  '/t  1 

the  Lord  is  now  reviving  and  carrying  on  his  work 
m  my  foul.  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  Fiveth,  1 
teel  that  1  have  redemption  through  his  bicod,  even 
ihe  forgivenefs  of  my  fins.  His  fpirit  is  continue. 
ally  bearing  witnefs  with  my  fpirit,  that  1  am  a 
child  of  God,  I  have  not  any  doubts  or  fears  re- 
fpecting  my  flate.  I  feel  a  continual  hunger  and 
thirft  after  righteoufnefs,  and  that  I  might  partakft 
more  and  more  of  the  divine  nature,  of  the  power 
and  fulnefs,  and  prefence  of  God.  God's  prefence 
on  earth,  is  heaven  begun ;  it  is  fweet  indeed  t6 
my  foul,  as  marrow  and  fatnefs,  fweeter  than 
honey  or  the  honey  comb.  O  that  I  might  always 
enjoy  the  light  of  his  countenance  !  O  that  my  foul 
might  always  be  enflamed  with  divine  love!  I  do 
always  love  him  in  fome  meafure,  but  I  wifh  to 
love  him  more  abundantly,  I  would  have  my  foul 
chp.rTged  into  the  nature  of.  love.  I  want  to  be  like 
the  angels  above.  My  co:ninual  prayer  is,  that  Ii 
may  not  commitfin,  but  that  the  Lord  would  ac- 
complifli  in  me  his  will,  by  r<:(}bring  me  unto  the 
me o Jure  of  the  fthture  of  a  perfe^  nuiii  in  Chrifl: ;  by 
creating  me  ajter  hmfelf\  and fanSiifying  me  wholly^ 
171  body,  fjuly  and  fpirit. 

At  intervals  Lfind  fome  hidings,  fome  withdraw- 
ing of  God's  prefence  from  me  :  but  O  what  ap 
aching  void  do  I  then  feel  in  my  foul !  I  am  then 
reillefs,  and  importunate  in  my  defires  and  endea- 
vours after  God  till  he  return.  At  fuch  times  I 
feel  as  if  it  was  a  worm  gnawing  my  foul;  and 
nothing  in  the  univerfe  can  give  me  any  eafe  or 
fatisfa6^ioni  The  effect  this  has  upon  me  is,  I  fee 
the  emptinefs  of  the  whole  creation,  without  the 
Creator;  I  feel  myfelf  to  be  nothing  but  a  heap 
of  vanity  and  confufion.  I  find  no  remedy  but 
crying,  God  be  mercijul  unto  me,  and  help  me  a 
poor  finner. 

0.2  I  defirc 


t  172  T 

I  deflre  to-glvc  glory  to  the  grace  of  God,  I  nox«' 
feel  much  power  over  outward  and  inward  iin  : 
far  greater  power  than  I  have  had  for  iQiiie  years, 
even  from  the  time  1  was  in  my  fifft  love.  **  O  my 
Lord  and  my  God,  do  tho<u  continue  robeftow 
on  me  thy  poor  hclplcfs  creature,  this  power  con- 
tinually :  yea,  do  thou  augment  and  encreafe  it 
day  by  day. " 

1  am  deeply  convinced  of  the  neccfHty  of  a- pur* 
heart,  a  iingle  eye,  and  a  new  creation:  yea  ra- 
ther I  am  convinced  of  the  impoflibility  of  my  foul 
being  happy  without  it.  For  indeed  I  can  relifh 
110  other  happinefs,  but  what  confifts  in  the  love 
of  God,  and  in  being  like  unto  him,  and  in  act- 
ing conformably  to  his  will.  None  of  the  trifling 
\\aniiies,'or  httleperifhlng  things  of  this  world,  can 
fatisfythe  great  deilres  of  my  immortal  fpirit.  The 
Lord  hath  given  me  a  foretaftc  of  heavenly  de>- 
^  light,  in  contemplating  the  amiable  perfe(ftions  of 
the  divine  nature,  and  feeling  my  foul  exhi'arated 
by  his  loving  prefence,  v/hich  has  kindled  fuch  a 
.iiaming  deiire  in  my  fpirit  for  God,  as  can  never 
be  fatibfied  but  with  all  his  fuLlnefs.  There  is 
fomething  in  me  continually  craving.  There 
feems  to  be  an  emptinefs  in  me,  a  lack  of  fome- 
thing eflential  to  my  foul's  happinefs:  which  lack,  [ 
well  know  is  the  perfect  ftature  of  a  man  in  Chrift. 
1'  is  that  alone  can  make  me  happy.  The  want  of 
which  is  the  cavife  of  thefe  pantings,  thefe  defires, 
theie  achings  and  ftrong  appetites,  which  do  per- 
peiuaiiy  put  me  upon  crymg  unto  the  Lord  that 
he  would  transfer  his  image  to  my  fciil.  That  he 
would  dtftroy  all  my  fin,  both  outward  and  inward, 
both  c-riginal  and  actual:  that  h^  wculd  purify 
ray  heart,  byrefloringme  unto  perfeflrightecufnefs 
and  true  holinefs,  and  making  me  a  partaker  of 
the  divine  nature,    by  lifting  up   the  light  of  bis 

coun- 


[  173  ] 

countenance  upon  me,  fo  that  I  may  continually 
fit  under  the  droppings  of  his  fanduary,  and  his 
fhadow  with  great  delight. 

Thefe  are  the  defires  the  Lord  has  given  me, 
and  fure  I  am  he  will  fulfil  the  defire  of  my  foul 
according  to  hispromife.  He  that fh all  come ^  will 
eome^  and  will  not  tarry.  I  have  already  obtained 
the  falvation  which  fome,  v/ho  are  of  little  minds, 
fpeak  of.  I -am  faved  from  guilt,  from  fear  that 
^iveth  great  torment,  and  from  the  dominion  of 
Im.  I  do  not  commit  fm  in  St.  John's  fenfe.  J 
am  ahnofi  continually  looking  unto  Jefus.  I  almoft 
pray  without  ceafing,  and  am  thankful  for  the  glo- 
rious manifeftations  of  the  Lord.  I  r«joice  fre- 
•juently.  But  will  this  fatisfy  the  mighty  defires 
of  my  foul  ?  no,  it  cannot,  it  will  not,  it  does  not» 
1  am  not  yet  fwallowed  up  in  God.  I  am  not  yet 
without  intermifilon  in  a  flame  of  love.  7  his,  this 
is,  dear  Sir,  the  thing  I  aim  at.  Help  me  by  youf 
prayers.  I  very  much  long  to  fee  you  at  my  houfe. 
It  is  the  very  great  love  I  have  unto  you,  and  the 
expeftation  I  have  of  being  profited  by  you,  has 
made  me  fo  bold. 

From  y6urs  in  Chrlfl,     J.  A, 

LETTER        LXVL 

Rev.  Sir,  April  24,  1742.     Briftol. 


I 


Rejoice  at  this  opportunity  of  writing  unto  you. 
At  firil,  indeed,  I  found  an  unwillingnefs  unto  it, 
but  I  prayed  unto  the  Lord  that  he  would  fliew 
me  if  it  was  riglit  I  Ihould,  I  find  my  foul  does 
rejoice  in  God  my  Saviour.  I  feel  a  peace  which 
pafles  all  underflanding,  and  which  furmounts  all 
doubts  and  fears.  I  have  power  over  all  fin,  for 
0.3  when 


C  174  1 

vheiilfeelltfllrinmy  heart,  IdlreSily  look  up  unto 
the  Lord  Jefus,  and  he  takes  it  tVom  me ;  yet  the 
enemy  tells  me  that  I  am  under  a  deiufion,  becaufe 
I  do  not  reafon,  that  therefore  I  refifl  the  fpirit  : 
and  when  he  \\'ould  convince  me,  I  will  not  per- 
mit him  :  but  1  commend  my  caufe  to  Jefus,  and 
he  fhtws  me  it  is  my  l^ufinefs  to  live  unto  him  from 
hour  to  hour,  and  from  moment  to  moment. 
Glory  be  to  my  Saviour,  for  he  is  nothing  but 
k)vc ;  I  could  praife  him  till  I  could  fpeak  no  long- 
er. I  fetl  burning  defires,  and  hungrings,  and 
thirflings  which  are  flronger  than  death.  I  look  for 
the  Lord  Jefus  coming  into  my  heart  to  feal  me 
his  abode,  and  make  me  one  fpirit  with  himfelf. 
I  have  a  fure  hope  that  he  will  accomphfh  his  work. 
1  hear  his  voice,  and  feel  hi^  love.  I  cannot  tell 
what  Jefus  does  for  me,  for  it  takes  away  my 
ilrength.  I  think  I  fliall  not  be  long  in  this  world. 
I  find  my  outward  man  decays  more  and  more. 
I  could  rejoice  greatly  to  meet  death  this  hour. 
Come  Lord  Jefus!  but  he  knows  beft.  My  time 
is  in  his  hand,  and  I  know  he  will  'finifh  the  work 
of  hohnefs  in  my  poor  heart.  Now,  even  now  I 
feel  my  heart  in  great  peace. 

Dear  Sir,  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  have  no  will 
but  that  of  God's,  and  that  I  may  be  faithful  to 
death.  O  that  I  may  to  the  utmoft  improve  the 
talents  God  has  bellowed  on  fuch  an  unworthy  fin- 
ner  as  I  am.  What  matter  of  praife  it  is,  that  I 
^am  alive  to  hear  the  everlafting  gofpel  of  Jefus 
Chrift!  What  fhall  I  render  unto  him  for  all  his 
benefits.  The  name  of  Jefus  is  more  to  my  foul 
than  all  the  world.  Every  moment  he  gives  me 
frefh  tokens  of  his  love.  He  creates  all  things  new, 
Kvery  moment  opens  nev/  fcenes  of  fpiriiual  plea- 
fure.  What  fhall  I  do  to  love  Jefus?  I  long  to 
love  him  with  my  whole  heart.     O  Lord  give  me 

ftrenglh 


[  n5-] 

ftrength  to  rejoice  evermore,  to  pray  ivithout  cecfmgy 
Mfid  in  every  thing  tQ  give  thanks* 

1  hope  I  Ihall  never  forget  to  offer  my  weak 
prayers  for  you.  May  the  l>Qrd  Jefus  blefs  you, 
and  be  with  you,  and  lead  you ^y  his  holy  fpuit 
into  all  truth.  May  he  fill  your  heart  with  his 
love  this  hour,  and  to  all  eternity.  So  prays,  frora 
her  heart,  your  daughter, 

and  unworthy  child  in  the  gofpel  of  Chrifl:, 

S.  C. 


I 


LETTER        LXVII. 

My  dear  Friend,  Jan.  5,  1760. 


Greatly  rejoice  that  the  Lord  hath  calfed  you 
out  of  darknefs,  into  his  marvellous  light.  O  may 
the  light  ihine  clearer  and  clearer  unto  the  perfect 
day.  In  order  to  this  you  have  great  need  to  watch 
and  pray,  that  you  may  be  faithful  to  the  light  you 
already  have.  The  not  being  faithful  to  grace  gi- 
ven, fccms  to  be  the  reafon  why  fo  many,  after 
years  experience  in  the  grace  of  Chrift,  are  ftill 
babes,  and  perhaps  weaker  than  at  the  beginning : 
whereas  St  Peter  exhorts  us  to  grew  in  ^race. 

Self-examination  is  a  moft  excellent  help  to  our 
growth,  as  it  a  means  of  bringing  us  acquainted 
with  our  natural  depravity,  for  certainly  as  we 
come  to  know  this,  in  a  right  fenfe,  we  fhall  not 
only  fee,  but  feel  the  neceflity  of  a  growth  in  ho- 
linefs,  and  fo  be  put  upon  ufing  every  means,  and 
help  for  this  end.  It  is  undoubtedly  a  great  blefling 
to  have  faith,  but  it  is  much  greater  to  keep  and 
•increafe  it :  without  which  we  fhall  have  to  anfwer 
for  the  abufe  of  it. 

But 


[  ne  ] 

But  the  great  queftion  is,  how,  dear  Madam, 
>ou  and  I  may  grow  in  grace  by  ufing  the  means 
of  grace  ?  for  nothing  is  more  vifible  than  that 
many  do  this,  who  do  not  profit  in  holinefs  :  and  yet 
nothing  is  more  certain  than  that  the  fault  lies  n6t 
in  the  means,  \yhich  are  well  calculated  to  anfwer 
the  end.  i.  We  muft  take  fpecial  heed  that  w6 
do  not  make  the  means,  the  end,  and  fo  reft  in 
them  as  if  they  were  the  lad  thing  we  have  to  aim 
at.  We  fhould  ever  keep  in  mind  that  right  tem- 
pers, and  right  afFe£lions  towards  God  and  man, 
is  the  thing  in  purfuit  and  not  the  mere  praying, 
hearing,  or  reading,  &c.  2.  We  fhould  carefully 
avoid  wanderings,  flothfulnefs,  and  formality  in 
duties  :  for  the  heart  in  duty,  is  the  heart  and  foul 
of  duty.  Without  this,  our  praying  and  reading'^ 
&c.  are  no  more  devout  and  fpiritual  perform-^ 
ances  than  the  motion  of  a  clock  is  a  vital  a6lion.. 
But  if  we  always  look  to  Chrift,  and  holinefs  in 
duties,  and  perform  them  with  fervour,  life  and 
earneftnefs,  we  ihall  not  fail  to  profit  in  righteouf- 
nefs  and  true  holinefs. 

A  clean  heart  is  entirely  defireable,  and  necefla- 
ry;  and  in  order  to  it,  iny  dear,  the  more  you 
confider  that  all  your  trials  are  appointed  or  per- 
mitted of  God,  the  more  will  you  be  helped  toward 
it,  by  them.  Deadnefs  to  this  >yorld,  and  efp^i- 
ally  to  our  own  will  and  defire,  is  quite  ncc^eirary 
to  the  life  of  Chrift.  Defire  always  to  feel  the 
love  of  God  fticd  abroad  in  your  heart,  2Lf^  be  not 
too  eafy  without  it:  and  defire  this,  jBOt  only  for 
the  ineffable  fweetnefs  it  gives,  but  chiefly  for  the 
property  of  it,  which  is  to  kill  fin,  and  the  nature 
of  it,  which  is  holinefs.  Wkhout  this,  you  may 
love  yourfelf,  but  you  cannot  love  God  for  his 
amiable  perfection,  and  infinite  holinefs,  which  js 
the  right  way  of  loving  him. 

Ifhould 


t  i7r]i 

I  (Kould  think  niyfclf  very  happy,  and  be  very 
thankful,  if  I  am  made  of  any  ufe  to.  my  dear 
friend ;  let  all  the  glory  be  given  unto  God,  it  is 
his  due,  I  am  not  incapable  of  getting  good  from 
you.  Do  not  think  too  highly  of  me,  it  would 
lefl'en  my  prcfirablenefs  to  you..  I  am  a  worm  qf 
the  earth,  (though  not  an  ear(h-worm)  and  am  efi- 
compa/Ted  with  many  infirmities,  ^vh'ch,  the  more 
you  are  acquainted  with  me,  the  more  you  wi]l 
difcover:  neverthelefs,  I  JoVe  the  l^ord  Jefus 
Chrifl;  and  1  believe  with  all  the  capacity  I  have 
at  prefent,  but  have  need  to  increafe  therein  da)'- 
! by  day.  Pray  for  me,  as  I  do  for  you  :  who  am 
Your  affecliGnate  Sifter  and  Servant. 

LETTER      LXVIII. 


I 


My  dear  Friend,  Feb,  25   I7<5r 


Received  yours  with  joy,  I  thank  Gcd,  whd 
h?»s  raifed    you  up  again,    as  alfo  on  account   of 

Mr. furely  our  God  heareth,    and  anfwereth 

prayer.  O  how  good  it  is  to  commend  our  caufe 
unto  him  !  "  His  ear  attends  the  fot'tefr  prayer* 

Indeed,  my  dear,  as  you  obferve,  it  is  a  very 
difficult  thing  for  a  genercus  and  gracious  heart, 
to  love- enough,  and  not  too  much.  I  have  not 
found  any  other  w«y  to  keep  ckar  of  this  extreme 
but  by  w^alking  clofely  with  God,  and  earneftly 
commending  myfelf,  and  them  to  God:  praying 
fervently  that  the  Lord  would  more  abundantly 
blefs  them  for  all  their  kindntfs  to  me,  and  at  the 
fame  time  endeavouring  all  I  could,  to  lead  them 
nearer  to  God.  The  wcunds  ycu  got  from  the 
unkindnefs  of  others,  and  that  fmking  of  your  foul 

into 


[  «78  1 

iirtd  idolatrous  fbndnefs,  of  which  you  complklp, 
•is  occafioned  by  the  want  of  more  inward  fpirftual 
flrength.  My  (ove,  you  want  a  more  watchful  fpi- 
rit,  that  you  may,  in  the  midft  of  thefe  hinder- 
ances  you  meet  with,  keep  your  atlcnfion  fixed  on 
the  bleffed  Jefus  ;  fo  fiiall  his  love  flow  into  ydyr 
hearr,  and  be  your  continual  ftreneih. 

I  hope  it  is  not  a  namfe  you  aim  at,  as  it  h 
abundantly  more  than  a  name,  even  a  new  nature 
which  you  want.  ^  1  think  you  will  find  it  befl-,  not 
to  reafon  about  what  God  has  already  done  for 
you,  but  rather  pray  him  to  pour  out  his  fpirit 
more  and  more  upon  you,  which  is  the  only  thing 
you  want,  and  this  w^ill  help  you  to  believe  all  the 
promifes  of  God,  while  the  fpirit  applies-  them 
with  power  to  your  he^t.  I  am  g^reatly  defirous 
indeed  oF  your  profp^cfrity,  and  fo  is  your  Lord  : 
Jefus  loves  you,  but  you  do  not  come  to  him  fo 
freely,  and  conftantly  as  you  ought,  or.  you  would 
have  more  abundant  life.  Bur  now  take  up  your 
crofs,  and  after  your  dear,  mafler  go.  Be  a  faith- 
fulwitnefs  for  him,  among  his  enemies,  and  he  will 
witnefs  clearly  to  your  heart  that  you  are  al!  his 
own.  O  may  the  dear  Lord  Jefus  blefs  you  with 
an  increafe  of  his  love... 

My  God  is.  fliil  my  guide,    and  his  arm  is  my 
fure  defence,  Ihave  fecn  much,  very  much  of  his 
goodnefs,  fmce  I' wrote  laft.     And  I  remain. 
Your  inviolable  Friend, 

LETTER       LXVIiL 

My  dear  Friend,  Nov.   i6,  1760. 


I 


T 


HE  two  quedions  you  aHt  in  your  lafl,    ar€ 
very  weighty,    and  deftrve  to  be  duly  coniidcred. 


[  179  J 

"  Do  you,  now,  believe  you  love  God  with  alf 
"  your  heart  ?*'  "  Are  you  nothing  afliamed 
**  among  the  oppofers  of  this  glorious  truth?" 

If  I  can  anfwer  to  the  former,  I  certainly  can  to 
the  latter:  for  I  could  not  love  God  with  all  my 
heart,  if  I  wasafliamed  of  this,  or  any  gofpel  truth  ; 
and  if  the  latter  as  neceffarily  includes  the  former, 
I  can  anfwer  heartily  in  the  affirmative  to  both.  I 
know  not  that  I  have,  in  the  leaf}:,  been  afhamed 
of  the  doctrine  of  Chriftian  Perfection,  nor  ofprc- 
fefling  my  humble  confidence  in  ChriO:,  of  my  un- 
feigned love  unto  him,  nor  of  my  tjelicf  that  he 
had  and  would  fave  me  from  fm.  And  with  re- 
gard to  the  prefent  ftate  of  mind  I  am  in,  though 
1  have  been  varioully  tried  from  every  quarter,  from 
pretended  friends,  and  profefled  enemies,  and  from 
the  prince  of  darknefs,  yet  my  heart  (lands  fail  be- 
lieving in,  cleaving  conilanlly  unto,  and  ardently 
loving  the  Lord  Jefus.  He  is  the  fole  monarch  of 
my  dc;voted  foul.  I  defire  nothing  befide  him  :  I  . 
have  his  loving,  fweet,  and  powerful  prefence  sre- 
nerally  with  nrie,  and  when  he  is  not  fo  fenfibly 
and  delightfully  prefent,  I  am  in  an  agony  of  pray- 
er, and  ceafe  not  'till  he  returns;  at  the  fame  time 
I  can  fay  from  my  heart,  thy  will  h  done.  This 
is  the  language  of  my  naked  heart. 

*^  Oh  1  'tis  hell  from  thee  to  part, 
"  I^ref^ime  clpfer  to  thy  heart." 

Since  I  ^zv(x^  here  I  have  had  great  Cre.^dom,  and 
fweetnefsboth  in  preachirtg  .aad  prayer.  It  is  my 
only  defign,  and  delight  to  do  my  Saviour's  v/ork 
and  will.  This  I  do  at  prefent  in  fome  fmall  de- 
gree ;  but  I  cannot  teH  you  how  much  I  long  to 
(ove  God  mpre  abundantly  than  ever  I  did,  that 
my,  obedience  flpwing  ffon\  love,  may  be  ex  ten- 
five 


kve  ?.s  my  powers,  and  delightful  to  my  foul.  And 
yet  I  have  already,  very  frequently,  fuch  love  to 
Jefus  Chriil:,  it  is  fo  fhed  abroad  in  my  heart,  that 
it  fills  my  foul  with  heavenly  comfort,  and  makes 
me  ready  to  lay  down  my  life  for  Chrift,  or  the 
brethren. 

I  tnink  this  1-9  a  fhort  {ketch  of  the  fituation  of 
rr.y  mind,  as  near  as  I  know  it.  I  flioiild  he  glacf 
if  you  v/ould  favour  me  with  the  beft  advice  ami 
kelp -you  can  give  me. 

i  rcmcrnbrr  the  happy  moments  we  once  enjoy- 
ed, with  gratitede  to  God,  and  affeOion  to  you  : 
and  if  ever  Providence  ihall  indulge  us  with  a  re- 
turn of  the  fame  rpportunities,  it  will  be  our  duty 
fo  give  tliank?,  and  I  heartily  pray  we  may  have 
wifdom  from  God  to  make  the  beft  ufe  of  them  we 
poifiblycan. 

You  know  it  wag  not  my  confl:ilutional,  of  be- 
fciting  fm  by  nature,  furioufly^  and  fuddenly  to 
rcfent  thofe  who  oppofed  me;  neither  am  I  in 
much  danger  from  that  quarter  yet:  I  am  in  vaftly 
more  danger  from  thofe  who  love  me,  and  fo  think, 
and  fpeak  too  well  of  me.  Delicate  praife,  nicely 
adminiftred,  is  hard  to  withftand  :  it  fteals  imper- 
ceptibly into  the  heart,  and  does  mifchief,  before 
the  unwary  perfon  fufpe61s  any  harm.  Yet  even 
from  this  doth  the  T-ord  prefeive  me,  with  much 
application  unto  him. 

There  are  feveral  perfons'here,  who  are  deeply 
fcnfible  of  the  neceflity  of  an  entire  change  of  the 
tempers  and  difpofitions  of  their  fouls',  in  order 
to  their  glorifying  God  on  earth,  in  a- holy  con- 
verfation;  and  their  being  capable  of  being  in  his 
pr^fence  for  ever  hereafter.  They  now  perceive 
their  grand  miftake  lay  in  this,  in  thinking,  that 
altho'  fuch  a  full  renewal  of  foul,  in  the  image, 
and  Mkenefs  of  ChriA,  might  be  n^ceflary  to  eter- 
nal 


[  iSi  ]    . 

ndl  glory,  yet  tliat  God  would  cflfcfl  it  before  he 
removed  them  from  this  life.     Too  great,  or  ra- 
ther too  falfe  a  dependance  on  this,  betrayed  them 
into  prefent  indifterence.     And  it  is  to  be  feared, 
this  is  too  common  a  cafe.     The  holy  fcriptures 
bid  us  fight,  and  wreftle,  and  run  ;  to  ufe  a. I  di" 
tiirence  tv  7nake  our   calling,  and  eleSlton  fure :  and 
when  we  do  thts,  we  may   faffily  leave    the  tim^ 
when,  and  the  manner  how,  God  will  accomplilli 
his  great  work  in  us,  to  his  fovcreign  will.     But 
when  we   relax  our  earneftnefs,  upon  a  miftaken 
prefumption  of  our  being  made  holy  fometime, 
wc   are  in  the  way  to   foul  apoftacy,  and  not  in 
the   way  to   final  falvation.     From  this,  and  all 
the   devices  of  fatan,    good   Lord    preferve   thy 
people,  and  my  dear  frien^^  in  particular. 
I  am,  with  much  affe<Slion, 

your  unworthy  brother. 

»»»i^<4«»«;<^>>)i»(<4>>iii<<*>>)ia;^ 

LETTER       LXX. 


I 


My  very  dear  friend,  July  20,  1750. 


r  is  now  Sunday  evening;  and  after  the  la- 
b^)ars  of  another  fabbath,  I  am  weak  and  weary, 
but  in  a  happy  fituation  of  mind,  and  a  very 
good  humour,  going  to  write  to  my  friend. 
'Tis  to  be  hoped  I  fhall  make  fome  amends  in  this, 
for  my  fhort  comings  in  the  laft.  It  is  ti'iie,  I 
was  not  overcome  of  openneis,  and  exprefiions 
of  fi-eedoiTi,  yet  the  Lord  knoweth,  I  had  not, 
neither  have  I  any  thing  at  prefent,  in  my  heart 
toward  you,  but  love,  and  good  will  1  believe  I 
have  very  few  fuch  friends.  I  heartily  defire  our 
friendihip    may  be  continued,  and  oui'  ufefulnefs 

R  to 


[  iSi  J 


i4i)  c.ich  other  encreafed  much  more  than  ever,  I 
think  it  is  founded  on  a  h»re  bafis,the  love  of  God. 
And  1  doubt  not  biu  it  will  continue  through  this 
life,  and  be  renewed  in  diftant  worlds,  to  conti- 
nue to  all  eternity. 

My  meaning,  with  reg.ird  to  particular  friend- 
ih'ip,  was  this  :  we    may  deiire    the   favonr,    and 
help  of  one,  or    more   chriftian  friends,  and  for 
the  fake  of  the  fpi ritual  profit  we  expert  from  them, 
we  may  do,  and  forego  many  things  to  continue 
in  their  efieem,  without  betraying  pride,  a  want 
of  humility,  or  feeking  ihe  honor  wliich  cometh 
of   men:    but  we  cannot  indulge  a  defire   of   ef- 
teem  and  favour  from  pe^  pie  in  general  ;  efpeci- 
ally  when   our   dehre   is   warm  and  importunate, 
and  favour  and  efteem   the  end    of  our  purfuitj 
without   difcovering  an    unmortified    affection   to 
the  things  of  this  world.     There  is    no  good,  or 
ill  in  men  thinking  highly,  or  meanly  of  me,  far- 
ther than  I  am  enabled  to  do  lefs    or  more  good 
imio    them,  or  receive  lels  or  more  good  from 
them.    If  they  think  me  the  beft  faint  on  earth,  it 
does  not  make  me  at  all  better,  it  may  make  me 
abundantly  worfe,  if  I  learn  to  diink  more  highly 
of  myfelf,  than  I  ought  to  think  thereby:  on- tlvc 
other  hand,  if  they  think  me   an  ungodly  hypo- 
crite, or  an  incarnate  devil,  it  does  not  make  me 
either  more  unholy,  or  unhapf.y,  if  I  am  not  an- 
gry thereat.     Let  us   always   confider    ourfelves, 
neither  more  or  lefs,  than  we  are  before  God, 
and  i€  v/ill  cure  us  of  this  difeafe. 

Your  meafurc  of  doing  good,  may  not  always    - 
be  adjufted  by  ycur  defire  of  it,  but  by  your  power 
to  do  it.     Your  defire  may  exceed  your  circum- 
ftances,  and  if  followed,  would  involve  you  in 

evi  k 


evils  which  would  over-baiance  the  gocd,  H<)W- 
evef,  thei«  are  very  lew  who  err  en  this  hand ;  an4 
where  they  do,  a  Httie  difcretion  will  put  then? 
into  tht'  vvtiv  «2airi. 

I  have,  this  inornin^,  jii ft  been  preaching"  frcru 
Hcb.  13,  xiii,  xiv.  Lei  us  therefore  go  J(,rth  unt* 
him  IV i thou t  the  campy  hearing  his  reproach,  P'.r 
here  have  ive  ,♦/-;  ccnlinu'm^  city,  hut  we  fcek  one  ti 
come.  How  indifpenrib'iy  necefTarr,  thought  I,  is 
it,  that  I  fjiould  he  fully  determined  to  take  this  ad- 
vice myftir,  who  nm  roing  to  e^iforce  it  upon 
others.  I  l>fted  up  my  heart  to  him.  from  whom 
I  receive  cverv  r^ood  <^ift  1  need,  and  he  srave  me 
power  to  rG'jCflv':;  npon  this  grpat  enterprise.  I 
v/ent  fofih,  andcxhtcrtcd  my  brethren  to  the  fame,. 
and,  (if  1  Knew  my  heart)  was  as  wiiiing  to  go  be- 
fore them,  as  to  have  them  follow  me.  So  I  now 
look-  upon  myfelf,  as  inMted  under  the  banner,  and 
amoni;r  the  finTerers  of  Chriil.  I  cannot  dcfcrt  thi? 
pod,  or  fly.  fpom  any  danger  I  am  lawfaily  called 
unto,  without  fhamcful  difhonour  to  my  prcfeilion, 
ancta|reat  prejudice  to  my  foul.  Bat  I  hof  e  to 
ftancrin  the  might  of  my  glorious  Captain. 

My  foul  was  very  much  affected  vviih  joyfu!  ex- 
pectation, when  I  came  to  conGder,  "  We  have 
no  continuing  city  here,  but  we  feek.one  to  come. 
It  put  new  life  into  all  my  powers,  and  courage 
into  m)  heart.  Said  f,  am  I  in  quefl  of  a  cit/ 
which  has  foundations,  whofe  Builder,  and  Maker 
is  God  ;  which  has  no  needlbf  a  temple,  the  Lord 
God  Almighty,  and  the  Lamb,  being  the  temple 
of  it;  nor  of  the  fun,  and  moon,  the  glory  of  God, 
and  of  the  Lamb  being  the  light  thereol  ;  how  can 
my  heart  languifh  r  how  very  tranfient  is  the  fea- 
fon  of  reproach,  and  then  I  fliall  be  advanced  to 
durable  honour;  how  very  fhort  the  time  of  fui- 
fering,  and  then  I  fhall  be  raifed  to  everlafting 
R  2  happineff. 


happlnefs.  Oh  !  my  dear  friend,  what  a  blefling 
it  is,  that  we  are  only  fojoiirners  here*:  I  would 
liOt  have  otherwife  for  a  thoufand  worlds. 

I  cannot  negle6l  to  give  you  fome  Httie  account 
ef  the  iindeferved  favours,  I  receive  from  God 
daily.  My  cup  of  confcktion  frequently  runs  over, 
fend  my  fprings  of  comfort  never  ceafe  altogether. 

*^  So  many  wonderoiis  gleams  of  light, 
*'  And  gentle  ardors  from  above, 
"  Have  made  me  fit  like  feraph  bright, 
*'  Some  moments  en  a  thsone  of  love : 
"  Ohi  what  is  virtue,  why  had  I, 
"  Who  am  fo  lov/,  a  tafle  fo  high?" 

1  fay,  and  fay  it  from  my  heart,  before  my 
Makei-,  who  knoweth  me  better  than  I  know  my- 
ielf,  unto  all-created  good,  thou  art  not  my  God : 
thy  prefence,  with  the  abfence  of  my  beloved, 
■would  be  a  ftate  too  intolterable  to  fuflain:  the  en- 
joyment of  thee,  without  thefruit'on  of  the  tlefled 
Jefiis,  would  be  a  deftnution  net  to  be  jj^ne. 
When  I  fee  my  dear  Redeemer,  and  the  "tity 
cf  his  grace  and  holinefs,  and  the  glories  of  his 
kingdom,  all  tjiat  the  world  calls  great  or  good, 
appears  as  nothing  in  my  eyes  :  when  his  love  is 
ilied  abroad  in  my  heart,  as  it  ufually  is,  in  fome 
confiderable  degree,  1  can  wink  all-created  beauty 
into  deformity,  and  all  fenfitive  enjoyments  lofc 
their  relifh. 

•'  Loril^  I  love  thee,  thou  kncv/eft,  who  knows 
all  things  ;  elfe  why  do  all  the  faculties  of  my  foul 
thus  clamour  after  thee,  and  cleave  unto  thee  ?  if  I  do 
r.ot  love  thee,  why  would  I  die  rather  than  offend 
thee?  V/hy  do  I  fear  hell  lefs  than  thy  frov/n,  and 
defire  heaven  lefs  than  thy  fmile  ?  why  do  I  ccn- 
tlmiallv  Icng  more  for   thee,    than  for  my  daily 

.{ccd  ? 


C  .85  ] 
food  ?  and  v.  hy  is  all  company  a  burden  unto  mr-«, 
which  in  the  leall  keep  me  from  convcrfing  with, 
iim\  delighting  myfelt"  in  thee  ?    my  Lord  tell  me^ 
if  i/.efe  are  not  figns  that  I  love  thee.'* 

Thus  I  often  plead  v/ith,  and  appeal  unto  my 
dear  Redeemer;  and  I  cannot  exprefs  how  much 
I  defire.to  be  nearer  unto  him,  and  more  like  him. 
Come,  thou  happy  moment,  which  fiiail  take 
away  this  painful  diilance  between  me  and  my 
Beloved.  My  eyes  fee  it  at  a  diftance  ;  it  comes 
upon  the  wings  of  time,  it  will  fhortly  arrive:  let 
patience,  O  my  foul,  have  her  p8rf€6t' work, ,  and 
the  defire  v/ill  come,  which  will  be  a  tree  of  life. 
IWp  me,  help  me,  my  good  friend,  by  your 
prayers;  and  may  the  God  of  all  grace,  make  his 
gracious  free  to  fhine  upon  you,  enrich  you  with. 
all  heaven'y  treafure,  and  fill  you  with  all  the  life 
of  God;  that  like  a  ftately  vellel,  riding  before  a 
profperous  gale,  you  may  return  from  the  hazard- 
ous, but  well-condu6ked  voyage,  into  the  havea  of 
everlafting  reft.     So  unfeignedl)r  prays^ 

Your  affectionate  Brother, 

and  inviolable  I'Viend. 

L    £    T    1^    E    R      LXXL 

My  very  dear  Friend/  ^  Aug.  9,  17(50. 

1  HAVE  but  very  little  time  to  write  in,  it 
being  already  near  the  pod-hour.  Pa0ing  over  the 
formal  ceremonies  of  receiving  yours,  &c.  let  mc 
tell  you,  I  am  much  concerned  for  your  want  of 
health,  and  (hould  be  abundantly  more,  if  it  wa5 
not,  that  I  ftedfaflly  believe,  that  all  things  fhall 
work  together  for  your  good. 

R  3  I  thank 


[  is^  J 

I  thank  God  my  health  has  lately  been  a  little 
better  than  ufual.  My  foul  is  foHdly  happy.  I 
hunger  and  thirft  after  righteoufnefs,  and  I  believe 
the  Lord  wil!  fulfil  my  largefl  deilres.  I  wifli  I  was 
more  abundantly  humble,  and  watchful.  If  I  had 
a  thoufand  times  as  much  ftrength,  and  ten  thou- 
fand  tongues,  and  all  eternity  before  me,  I  fhould 
think  all  vaftly  too  little  to  praife  my  Redeemer 
with.  Help  me  to  praife  him;  and  pray  unto 
him  that  I  may  be  more  faithful,  and  fruitful, 
unto  death. 

M.  D.  died  on  Thurfday  was  fortnight,  very" 
happy,  in  full  aflurajice  of  faith,  with  a  clean  heart, 
and  clear  prorpe6t  of  eternal  glory.  I  preached 
her  funeral  fermon  on  the  Sund^^  following,  to  a 
large  congregation,  from  Gen.  49.  xviii.  1  have 
voaited  for  thy  falvation^  O  Lard.  And  laft  Sunday 
I  performed  the  like  fervice  for  Mrs.  H.  There 
were  a  larger  company  than  before.  After  fermon, 
we  bore  her  relicks  to  the  church  yard,  attended 
with  feveral  thoufand  hearers,  and  an  incredible 
multitude  of  aflFe6ted  fpe6tators,  while  we  fung  the 
praifes  of  the  Lord,  and  the  happinefs  of  thofe 
^vho  die  in  him.  So  folemn  a  fight  I  never  faw 
before  I  Lord,  when  (hall  I  be  the  occafion,  and 
fubje<St  of  fuch  a  folemnity  ?  the  portion  of  fcrip- 
ture  fae  made  choice  of  for  this  occafion,  was  the 
language  of  her  mind,  and  the  pi6i:ure  of  her  ftate, 
in  the  latter  part  of  her  life,  and  at  her  death. 
Pfalm  119.  Ixxv,  Ixxvi.  I  know,  O  Lordy  thai 
thy  judgments  are  right  y  and  that  thou  in  fatthfulnefs 
liaft  ajfii^ed  me.  Let,  I  pray  thee^  thy  merciful 
kindnefs  he  for  my  comfort^  according  to  thy  word 
unto  thy  fervanf. 

Time  flies,  and  the  pofl  cannot  flay:  eternity 
is  julT:  at  hand,  and  the  world  going  to  conclude 
its  flabbard  tale.     The  Lord  give  us  a  fafe,    and 

fpeed  J 


[     i87     3 

fpeedy  flight,    "  where  change  (hall  be  no  more." 
Adieu.     Adieu. 

LETTER      LXXIL 


I 


My  dear  Friend,  May  23,  1761, 


Sincerely  rejoice  on  Mr.  D 's  account,  and 

I  hope  by  this  time  I  may  alfo  congratulate  you 
on  account  of  your  having  entered  into  that  Iiappy 
land  of  uprightnefs,  which  is  always  favoured  with 
God's  peculiar  fmile  ;  where  he  keeps  his  own  in 
perfe£l'  peace,  and  everlafting  reft.  May  you 
fweetly  abide  in  Jefu's  love,  and  be  filled  with  his 
abundant  fullnefs. 

You  bid  me  tell  you  what  I  think  of  you.  I 
will  fpeak  freely :  I  believe  you  are  not  far  from 
that  love  which  cafteth  out  all  flavifh  fear.  The 
Lord  hath  arretted  you,  and  made'- you  a  prifoner 
oThope:  you  are,  for  a  time  detained  in  the  wil- 
dernefs,  but  your  Lord  will,  with  his  own  arm  de- 
liver you.  Beftrong,  behold,  fear  not,  Jefusthc 
Captain  of  your  falvation  goes  before  you.  He 
will  fend  forth  judgment  unto  vidtory ;  and 
deftroy  all  your  enemies.  When  he  hath  made 
you  all  fair,  then  v/ill  he  behold  no  fpot  in  you. 
You  fhall  as  perfe6lly  bear  the  image  of  the  hea- 
venly Adam,  as  you  have  born  that  of  the  earthly 
one.  Your  Saviour  has,  does,  and  will  blefs  ycu 
for  evermore.  Yea  he  will  keep  ycu  night  and 
day,  and  water  you  every  moment. 

But  remember  this,  as  your  Lord  was  a  man  of 
foiTows,  and  acquainted  with  grief,  therefore  muil 
you,  as  long  as  you  abide  in  this  earthly  taberna- 
cle, drink  of  the  fame  cup  your  Saviour  drank  of, 

and 


I  i58  ] 

.  J:.f,  ]cCs  or  mere,  be  baptized  w/V/5  t^e  baptifmy 
vj^ich  he  '.vdi  htiptizfd  ivitJi.  Every  cne  that  is  per- 
y ■-..'/,  fiaUh  as  hiy  M<ijhr.  You  arr  called  to  be 
cciilo.med  ro  ^  fuiTerina',  as  wc!].  as  a  glorified 
S-v^oLir:  snd  rr.nft  h?ive  ftllcwflvlp  ^vi^!4  him  iji  his 
fuiurini;,  that  you  may  partake  of  his  glory. 
Th.roagh  iBuch  tribubricn  all  ihe  founts  enter  iiato 
the  kingdom  of  Ggc?^  and  efpccially  tho^e  who 
enter  deepefi:  irto.  rirs  fpirit  of  it  oa  earth,  and 
higheil  iiiro  the  -o^lortcs  of  It  in  heavtn.,  Yet  ble/Ted, 
are  they  who  foilow  Chiiit  Tii  the  pain-fully  pleafant 
path  of  iegener?.tion,.  and  aBide  with  hinn  in  all  his" 
tempULloiif..  Tiieir  crown  niall  be  as  much  dlf- 
tinguilhed  for  its  brighrnefs  in  heaven,,  as  their  ^xiir 
ferings  were  diftinguifhed  for  tlieir  blacknefs  on 
earth.  The- way  of  the  crofs,  is  the  fure  v/ay  to 
eternal  glory,. 

Do  not  think  that  a  bare  freedom  from  evil  teni- 
pers,  is  the  higheft  chrirtlan  pei^sftion  you  caa 
poflibiy  arrive  at;  but  aim  at  peifecling  holinefs 
in  the  fear  sf.  God.  Neither  expert,,  when  yoii 
fhall  come  into  this  flate,  to  appear  ia  your  ov/n 
eyes,  a  fine,  wife^.  and  glorioiK>  creature,  no  :  ex- 
pe£l  to  be  like  a-  httle  child,  that  f.as  to  learn  to 
walk,  and  almoft  every  tiling  to  afic  of  its  parents. 
Expe£t  to  he  aiioaidied,  as  well  at  your  ignorance, 
fimplicity,  littlerKfs,  artd  meannefs,  as  at  the  infi- 
nite blelTmg  beftowed  upon  you,  and  the  incon- 
ceivable change  wrought  in  you.  An  unutterable 
depth  of  humility,  teachablenefs,  and  mildncTs,  is 
the  fupreme  height  of  that  pcrfe£kion,  which  none 
can  conceive  but  thofe  who  arrive  at  it. 

You  cannot  follow  your  mafter,  and  fight  under 
your  captain^  unlefs  you  are  clothed  with  all  the 
armour  of  God.  And  then  you  will  find  many, 
and  hard  battles  to  fight ;  but  victory.  Aire  victory 
will  enfue.    Do  you  now  walk  in  wLLte  with  Chrift  ? 

If 


[  iSp  ] 
If  you  do,  prrJfe  your  loving  Lewi,  and  look  to 
Jefus  every  moment.  Go  forward,  and  may  the 
Lord  teach  you  by  his  blefTed  fpirit,  and  refrefh 
you  by  his  love.  If  not,  now  dare  to  believe,  lay 
hold  on  the  hope  fet  before  you  ;  the  glorious  hope 
of  perfeQ:  love.  Jefus  will  give  you  all  you  fland 
in  need  of-  The  Lord  will  bury  you  in  his  grave, 
that  you  with  him  may  rife.  Then,  when  he  who 
is  your  life  may  appear,  you  alfo  may  appear  with 
him,  and  be  tor  ever  will)  the  Lord.  Even  nov/ 
behold  the  fair  beauty  of  the  Redeemer,  lie  ar  the 
feet  of  the  ever  living,  ever  loving  Jefus  :  let  your 
foul  reft  in  his  mighty  hand,  that  he  may  form  and 
mould  it  into  his  own  image.  He  waiteth  and 
wanteth  to  be  gracious,  cleave  unto  him,  and  lofe 
yourfeif  in  him. 

Ihe  Lord  does  work,  and  who  fl:iall  hinder  him  ? 
A  week  fince,  a  few  friends  came  to  fee  me,  we 
joined  together  in  prnyer,  particularly  for  Nanry^s 
deliverance  ;  the  Lord  poured  upon  us  the  fpirit 
of  grace,  and  cf  fupplication,  m  which  we  conti- 
nued an  hour  and  an  half :  tl.e  I>ord,  the  great  de- 
liverer, heard  and  anfwcred  us.  He  gave  her  the  defire 
of  her  heart.  Thefe  were  fome  of, her  exprefTions. 
*'Lord,  I  do  believe  1  My  foul  hangs  en  thee' 
thou  wilt  feal  me  to  the  day  of  redemption !  O 
blefTed  Jefus,  thcu  wilt  keep  my  foul  for  ever  !• 
glory  be  to  thee'/'  In  fuch  phrafes  as  thefe  fhe 
abounded  for  a  confiderable  time  :  fhe  fince  remains 
happy.  Our  God  is  indeed,  a  God  that  heareth 
prayer.  Whatever  we  alk  according  to  his  will, 
he  will  do  it  for  his  own  name's  fake. 

I  blefs  the  Lord,  I  feel  my  foul  lying  fafe  in 
his  mighty  hand,  and  I  am  kept  in  perfe(Sl  peace. 
While  I  am  in  a  multitude,  my  foul  is  retired  with 
Jefus  from  the  noife  and  (hew  thereof.  Yet  how 
little  is  that  I  have  received,  in  comparrifon  of 

that 


t  190  ] 

th.'.t  I  f^e  before  me,  atrd'at  wKich  I  aim.  Grace 
i3  of  a  growing  and  encrealing  nature,  and  where- 
ever  the  cacUiiibrances  of  fclf  indulgence,  pride, 
cvil-defire,-  unbelief,  &c.  are  cleared  away,  it  will 
not  fail  to  ripen  into  perfe<5lion.  Many,  it  maybe, 
have  received  a.  larger  Uock  than  [  bave,  byt  it  is 
niy  duTy,  and  I  believe,  ever  will  be  my  care  and 
pleafure,  to  be  thankful  for  what  1  have,  and  to 
pray  for  what  I  want.  I  want  to  have  my  life" 
more  feyfibly  hid  with  Chrill:  in  Godj  and  to  be- 
lieve, love,  and  obey  in  a  fuller  manner,  and  lar- 
ger meafure,  than  I  do  atprefent.  Yet  a  little,  a 
very  little  while,  and  eternity  will  be  here,  and 
land  us  Hife  in  the  wifhcd  for  port.  We  fliall  meet" 
in  the  realms  of  endlefs  day.  We  ihall  then  fee 
the  glorious  face  of  our  beloved  Jefus,  without  a 
vail.  The  painful  diftance  Ihall  fubfift  no  more. 
We  (hall,  even  we  fhal!  behold  him  oUr- his  great 
white  throne,  and  delightfully  caft  our  crowns  at 
his  feet^  and  hail  the  Lamb  who  dtecUto^ redeem  us 
unto  God,  in  endlefs  fbngs,  v/hicK  angels  cannot 
learn.  I  am  his  by  twice  ten  thoufand  ties,  which 
bind  me  to  his  heart.  He  is  my-  God;  and  my  all. 
Is  he  not  yotu-  God?  furelyhe  is.  Do  not  yoa 
love  him  with  all  your  heart.?  **  He  is  ahogether 
lovely.  Behold  the  Lamb  of  Godthattaketh  away 
the  (in  af  the  world.  '*■  Can  you  hold  out  any 
longer  ?  will  you  yet  re fafe  to  give  him  your  hearty 
who  has  bought  it  with  blood  divine  .?  O I  now 
ktredeeming^lov:e.make  an  entire  conqueil  of  your 
yielding  heaxr-. 

'  1  am^  your  afFe<5tionate  Sifter, 

in  the  dear  Lord  Jefus, 


LET- 


[   >9.   ] 

LETTER      LXXIII. 

My  dear,  dear  friend,  Sept.  2,  1760. 

Received  yours,  and  am  heartily  glad,  and 
unfeignedly  thankful  to  hear  you  fpeak  in  fo  hea- 
venly  a  drain.  I  think  a  joyful  fpirii  lives,  and 
breathes  in  every  line.  Thanks  be  to  my  God, 
who  is  all- fuilic lent  to  fill  the  largeft  defires  or 
our  immortal  ibuls.  A.re  our  dcllres  of  holincfs, 
boundlefs?  {o  are  the  promifes  oF  Golj  and 
boundlefs  alfo  is  the  proinifer.  Who  can  iind 
oiR  the  Almighty  to  perfedtion  ?  his  being  is  an 
oceaa  of  infinities,  where  all  our  thouglirs  arc 
drowned  J  a  fountain  of  living  v/atcrs,  where  our 
thirfl:  is  quenched,  and  our  fouls  reFrelhed ;  an 
intxhauftible  ftore,  where  all  oar  wants  are  fup- 
plied*,  and  a  blciled  centre,  where  all  our  wilhes, 
defires,  and  afFeitions  meet. 

O  I  how  I  long  to  rife  higher  into  his  divine 
image,  and  fink  iower  into  the  humble  mind  of 
Chrift.  liOrd,  when  ihall  I  appear  be'ore  thee  ? 
what  fliall  1  do  to  fet  forth  thy  praife?  If  I  had 
ten  thciifand  tongues,  I  would  praife  thee  with 
them  all:  if  I  had  ten  thoufand  hearts,  I  would 
love  thee  with  them  all :  if  i  had  ten  thoufand  bo- 
dies, I  would  gladly  facrifice  them  all  to  thy  fer- 
virc.  O  bleiTed  Jefus,  what  can  poffibly  be  too 
dear  for  thee,  wlio  has  not  fpared  thy  precious 
blood,  but  has  ihed  it  freely  for  fo  unworthy  a 
creature!   my  demerit  cxiks  thy  boundlefs  grace. 

Thy  love  fent  thee   into   my   nature,  and  the 

'voild  wherein   1  dwell ;  and  ihall  it  not  draw  m / 

■cart    into    thy  image  and  glory.''    Be    gone,    ye 

Mifhly   f rifles,    'vckd    every    creature    enjoyment, 

whicii 


[   192  J 

wiiich  would  detain  me  from  my  Lord's  embrace: 
you  Ihall  not  flatter  my  afFeclions ;  you  could  not 
recompence  my  lo  s.  O  Lord,  thy  name  is  as 
ointment  poured  forth,  more  exquifitely  delight- 
ful than  the  richeft  perfumes  of  the  apothecaries, 
or  the  powders  of  the  merchants,  yea,  than  the 
moft  finilhed  pleafures  of  fenfe.  How  fweet  it  is 
to  love  Jefus !  Oh !  that  T  had  a  more  fimple, 
humble,  loving,  and  teachable  he^rt.  I  long  to  - 
be  all  like  Chrift,  for  thelve  1  have  unto  him. 

But  I  forgot  m)  felf,  that  I  am  writing  to  one 
who  knows  Jefus,  and  his  charms  better  than  I 
do.  My  dear  friend,  teach  me  how  to  know  and 
iovc  him  better.  I  have  had  fome  happy  inter- 
views with  S.  H,.  which  put  me  in  mind  of  the 
Yorklliiie  timee :  Lord,  when  it  is  good  for  us, 
thou  wilt  reftore  and  repeat  them;  till  then  the 
abfence  of  them  will  be  for  the  beft.  Farewell 
for  ever,  in  the  Lord  Jefus. 

L     E     T     T     E     K      LXXIV. 


I 


My  dear  Brother, 


1  adminirters  matter  of  joy,  and  thankfulnefs 
to  me,  and  all  who  look  upon  themfelves  as  O'-an- 
ge  s  and  pilgrims,  here  below;  to  hear  that  one, 
and  another,  is  landed  fafe  upon  that  happy  fhore, 
where  the  v/icked  cafe  from  troubhng  ;  and  the 
uxary  are  at  reft!  what  'S  there  w^orth  living  for  ? 
to  die  to  behold  his  blefled  face  without  a  veil,  is 
a  bleffm^  indeed ! 

There  we  fhall  fee  his  face  and  never  never  fin. 
There  from  the  rivers  of  his  grace,  drink  endlefs 
pleafures  in.     I   pray  God  this  difpenfation  may 

have 


C  >93  ] 

iiavc  a  fanSlified  effl-cl  upon  you.  Mny  the  great 
teacher  of  IlVacl  teach  you  ;  and  may  I  be  a  finiplc 
learner  at  your  feet. 

I  find  it  is  with  feme  difficulty  I  write  to  you  on 
any  fubje^lfave  that  of  defiiin^^  your  help  ami  ad- 
vice for  my  own  foul.  I  abhor  myfeff  in  duft  and 
afhes.  I  am  weak  ias  helplefs  infancy.  I  find  the 
defire  of  my  foul  is  to  gain  by  every  lofs,  to  keep 
my  eye  on  the  mark.  I  would  chufe  the  niofl:  ex- 
cellent Way.  1  defire  ever  to  fee  God  in  all,  and 
all  in  God.  I  would  be  fo  fully  certified  of  th<^  wif- 
dom  and  goodnefs  of  God  in  every  diJpen  fat  ion,  as 
to"  fay  from  the  ground  of  my  heart,-  "  Thy  will 
be  dohQ.*^  '  Let  us  be  tharfkRil  for*  the  mehifure  of 
thife  gi^aces  we  find  iii  ourfelyes',  and  prefs  forwards 
till  ^ve  expenenceall  that  the 'Lord  has  prom i fed 
to  give. •  ■    _      '  . 

i>et  me  give  you  a  hint  with  refpccb  to  vour 
children.  You  kacywThe  Lt^rd  hath  entrUfted  you 
with  iheir  routs  as  ^^■e;l  a^  their  bodies:  '  it'fhoulcf 
be  !nalfer«  of  great momerft  with  you  to  take  heed 
into  ^vhofe  faimiiy  they  are  caft. 

The  Lor^  be'  with  you  on  your  journey:  if 
Providence  rtiould  cafl:  your  lot  in  our  circuit  I  be- 
lieve many  hearts  would  rejoice.  Remember  me 
aflVctionatf^ly  to  all  friends. 

Fi%m^vouf  affectionate  Sifler  in  Chrift, 

'  ''  R.       H: 

L    E     T     T     E     R        LXXV. 

Much  tikheintd  Friend, 

:         -^  f\     7MI    if  i:   ^t       .:       ,  .  i 

h/\ai'4j*win(ng'ton^gJe6t  ihk  opportunity  of  let-  . 
tirref  (hee  he^fT^  frora  me,    although  I  hivc'little  .to 

'r.'f  GOft(tcrnii:g  niyfelf. 

S  I  fee 


[   194  ^ 

I  fee  the  beauty  of  tholinefs,  and  1  long  to  aitam 
to  it,  but  alas,  I  am  (low  of  heart,  I  feel  my  un- 
belief keeps  me  from  the  glorious  liberty  oi  the 
tnildrcn  of  God.  Yet  I  have  a  full  aflurance,  the 
Vfork  of  falvation  is  carrying  on  in  my  foul ;  and 
at  the  mcft  barren  times,  I  cannot  doubt,  but  I 
fhall  witneis  full  redemption,  in  the  blood  of  Jefus  I 
I  am  much  tempted  to  put  the  day  afar  ofF,  and 
give  up  my  confidence,  and  to  fay  how  is  it  poflV- 
ble  for  me  to  attain  fo  great  falvaiion  ?  but  as  I 
wait  upon  the  Lord,  I  find  my  ftrength  renewed 
in  him  ;  and  I  am  fully  convinced  his  grace  is  fuf- 
ficient  for  me.  O!  that  my  eye  v/as  continually 
looking  up  to  Jefus ;  for  when  I  keep  clofe  to  him, 
Jie  confirms  me  in  my  belief,  that  it  it  his  will  i 
Ihould  be  perfeQ:.  indeed  my  friend  1  meet  witlj 
many  interruptions  in  my  way,  but  1  long  for  that 
day  to  come,  which  Ihall  burn  as  an  oven  ;  that 
neither  root,  nor  branch,  of  unrighteoufnefs  may 
remain  in  me.  Fain  would  I  give  up  my  whole 
foul,  and  body  to  the  fervice  of  my  God,  that  I 
may  dwell  in  his  houfe  forever.  O!  pray  forme 
that  I  faint  not,  but  that  in  due  time,  I  may  reap 
that  falvaiion,  which  at  prefent  I  ftedfaftly  believe 
my  Saviour  has  purchafed  for  me. 

Great  peace  do  I  enjoy,  and  at  particular  times 
my  Lord  communicates  much  of  his  love  to  me : 
he  feems  to  deal  v/ith  me  as  a  parent  with  a  fickfy 
child :  he  difcovers  to«ie  what  is  hurtful  and  fuffer? 
me  not  to  feel  his  anger :  but  I  yet  feel  the  depth 
of  ingratitude^  in  me ;  for  furely  if  I  loved  hiHi  as  I 
ought,  my  heart  wpujd  be  filled  with  thankfgivinc, 
and  my  lips  would  continually  fpeak  of  his  praife. 

I  remember  in  my  fir  ft:  letter  to  »hee,  I  obferved 
if  thou  couldeft  fhew  me  a  religion  more  holv,  or 
more  lovely  than  cur  own  principles  lead  to,  I  would 
rradily  «Tibr*ce  it.     So  far  I  mud  confefs;    it  haf 

pleafcd 


I 


E  19  5  ] 
pleafed  God  through  thy  miniftry,  to  give  me  a 
more  perfe6t  view  of  the  glorious  law  of  libeny, 
t'han  I  had  ever  conceived  before;  yet  he  has  not 
tn  the  leaft  convinced  me,  that  any  outward  ordi- 
nance I  have  not  yet  complied  vviih,  could  be  ac- 
ceptable to  him,  but  fhews  me  my  whole  heart  ig 
what  he  require*  of  me  j  and  if  I  may  fo  fay,  I 
am  more  eftablilhed  in  primitive  Quakerifm,  than 
1  ever  was  in  my  life  before.  My  heart  is  enlarged. 
My  taith  is  cncreafed..  Often  after  hearing  you, 
my  foul  has  been  filled-  as  with  new  wine  But  I 
could  not  remain  long  here.  Mj  ov/n  unprofitable 
thoughts  hcWc  returned  upon  me  ;  and  indeed  at 
prefent,  fhefe  feems  to  be  the  grcateft  enemies  I 
have  to  encounter  with.  O!  when  fhall  I  be  able 
lo^fay?   I  lolonger  live,  butChriil  liveih  in  me. 

I  can  truly  fay  ;  all  the  enjoyments,  and  friend- 
fiiips  of  this  world  appear  as  vanity  in  comparifon 
of  (he  love  of  God"  in  Chrill  Jefus;  Yet  I  fear  I 
flill  love  my  own  eafe  too  well ;  and'  1  know  the 
fear  of  man  is  not  overcome  in  me ;  but  I  trurt  my 
God  will  cleanfe  the  temple  of  my  heart  from  all 
!d^^c!9,  and  take  up- his^  abode  In  me.  For  this  great 
felvai.ion  my  foul  hungers  and  thirds. 

You  have  provoked  me  to  good  v/orks  ;  and  if  I 
was  never  to  hearfrcm  you  more,  if  I  am  faithful 
to  the  gift  received,  I  know  I  .{h?A\  be  a  more 
living  member  in  the  church  ;  for  I  can  now  de- 
clare to  others,   what  God  has  done  for  my  foul. 

I  cannot  help  defiring  to  fee  thee,  or  thy  bro- 
ther, and  I  hope  Providence  will  permit  me  to 
hear   one   of  you   a   few  times   before  I  go   into 

H fhire,  and  if  thou  haft  leifure,   I  lliould  take 

it  as  a  favour  to  have  a  few  lines  from  thee,  whilft 

I  remain   in  this  barren  place,    friend  C wJl 

convey  them  to  me. 

S  2  \fay 


[196] 

May  the  great  God  of  truth,  blefs  thee  in  all  thy 
undertaking^.  Ma  veil  thou  dwell  in  the  fecret 
place  of  the  moft  firgh  ;  and  abide  under  the  (ha- 
ddw  of  t'lie  Almighty  ;  is  the  fincere  defire  of  tin 
real,  tbcugh 

Unworthy  Friend,^'--'  ;  ^ 
-  ••      :     S.  P. 

?.  rv-ri/O;     --rr  -• 


L    E  X,\^^.:^    K,^  .   UCK^l/- 


I 


NDEED,  my  good  frieod^.  I  want  mu^h'tc* 
bear  of  thy  recoveiy,  and  .wa^  in.  hop.j^  f.ftTCuld 
have  had  a  line  frGm.thee.  My^dufHes-  fbi;,-tl)y 
welfare  are  fti;o^;g,,/akhp!;ghI  have  not  wrot^  to 
:hce.  The  u'0>>..  in  me  goes  on  biu.  flcwly  ;'ytt 
iiiy  Lord  doth  '"^oi  with-hold  his  t^omforts ; ,  )?uiJ 
dare  not  judge. of  irjy.ftate,  frora^'hat  I  fecl.^f  hj^ 
tcmforu  only,  but  from  what  I  overcome  alfc. 

Peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl, 
is  continued  to  me,  and  I  much  long. Jo  be  filled 
with  the  fulnefs  of  his  love..  At  times,., ijn$.e  I  have 
been  in  this  place,  my  foul  hath  rejoi.ced  ip  Go^ 
my  Saviour,  and  I  Jiave  had  a  witnefs  jn..mVTcl(;i 
that  I  am  \Vii.cr_€^his,Provid^nce  has  pjaced  mej.  yet 
I  muft  cqnfefs,'  l.haye  not  fo  frequently/ fearfed  in 
his  prefence,  as  when.  I.  had  the  privilege  Vf  "hear- 
ing youj  biit  I  beireY*e  he  never  yvjllfprfake  me : 
he  is  a  i*rier;d' which  itickjeth^cjpfer  than  a  brother ; 
and  I  am  often 'rnade  to  think,  If  I'was  in  a  dun- 
geon, or  defart,  I  fhould  be  happy  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  hirh.  If  he  was  to  iake  his  fpirit  frcrn  me, 
and  all  temporal  joys  were  mine,  I  know  I  fhould 
be  wretched  without  him  whom  my  foul  jovcth. 

^    I  fully 


[  197  1 

I  fully,  and  conflantly  find,  nothing  without  ho- 
linefs  can  make  me  happy  ;  and  nothing  with  it, 
can  make  me  mlferablel  1  feel  no  unholy  defire  in 
me,  but  I  often  beg,  that  my  heart  may  be  fearch- 
cd  as  with  a  candle,  that  1  may  not  deceive  my- 
feir,  or  others. 

When  I  am  writing  to  others,  I  moftly  feel  fuch 
divine  comfort,  and  heavenly  joy  break  in  upon 
my  foul,  that  I  cannot  forbear  confeiTmg  how  good 
my  Lord  is  to  me;  but  when  this  fervency  of  fpi- 
rit  is  abated,  I  am  ready  to  reflect  upon  myfelf, 
and  fay,  perhaps  I  Ihall  make  my  friends  think  f 
have  attained  to  more  than  I  really  have.  I  would 
fain  he  without  guile.  I  often  wifli  I  could  difco- 
ver  my  heart  as  it  is;  Lord,  fhew  me  the  depth  of 
evil,  that  is  in  me,  is  my  fincerecry.  The  things 
of  this  world,  give  me  no  delight.  At  times,  I 
feem  as  one  who  has  nothing  to  do  with  them; 
and  I  long  to  get  home,  that  I  may  enjoy  my 
Beloved  without  intermiflion  ;  for  it  feems  to  me, 
as  if  the  end  of  my  days  would  be  a  time  of  great 
rejoicing.  And  yet,  when  I  confidcr  how  many 
have  tailed  of  the  good  word  of  life,  and  longed 
as  I  do  to  dwell  with  Jefiis,  and  have  neverthelefs 
forfook  him,  it  fi\h  me  with  ftrong  defires,  that  he 
would  fpcedily  finifh  his  work,  and  take  me  to 
himfelf.  But  I  know  this  is  wrcng;  I  ought  to 
have  no  defire,  but  that 'his  will  may  be  fulfilled  in 
me.  Surely  it  is  his  will,  that  I  fhculd  be  without 
carefulnefs ;  therefore,  I  truft  he  will  preferve  me 
from  the  cares  of  this  world,  and  in  his  own  time 
prepare  my  foul  for  his  abode.  It  feems  to  me, 
as  if  he  was  emptying  me,  in  order  to  fill  me  with 
the  riches  of  his  love  ;  but  alas!  (elf  is  flill  alive: 
I  feel,  and  abhor  it;  for  I  know  I  cannot  enter  iiT- 
lo  Canaan  until  this  grand  enemy  is  flain.  When 
I  think  on  what  I  once  was,  a  great  change  feems 
S3  to 


[  198  ] 

to  be  wrought  in  me ;  but  when  I  compare  what  I 
r.m,  with  what  I  ought  to  be,  I  find  the  work  is 
but  begun!  I  am  filled  with  admiration,  at  the 
goodnefs  of  God  to  itie :  of  all  his  fervants,  I  feem 
to  do  the  leaft  for  his  glory;  and  yet  his  banner 
over  me  is  love  !  O  !  that  I  may  be  faithful.  If 
works  were  to  juftify  us,  where  muil  I  appear  ? 
Lord!  thou  knoweft  none  can  love  thee,  but  thofe 
who  defire  to  ferve  thee-,  and  thou  accepteft  of  the 
little  mite  which  is  offered  up  in  pure  love  to.thee; 
an,d  if  i  abide  iri  thee,  rhou  wilt  purge  me,  that  I 
may  bring  forthfruit  to  thy  praife. 

I  often  think,  if  it  was  pofTible  for  an  unregene- 
rate  roufto  feci  the  happinefsour  Mafter  beftows 
on  his  followers,  furcly  they  would  forfake  all,  and 
follow  liiffi  ;  and  no  longer  feek-happinefs  in  the 
pleafures,  or  profits  cxf  this- world,- but  eonfefs,  na 
blifs  comparable  to  the  love  of  Jefus !  '^ 

I  have  been  conftrained  (fince  I  -have  been  in  this- 
place)  to  vindicate  your  doQrrines:  Ifincerely  wifh,' 
that  all  who  hear  you,  'v^'oulH  <kj  you  the  juflice 
not  to  condemn ;'what'  the.y  do  not  und'erftand. 

In  the  love  and  fellowship  a£  the-Hbfy  Ghoii, 
my  foul  tenderly  falntea.thet?-  i-«t.  '        r         ■ 

I  renrrainitiiy  unworthy  Friend.  • 

:i    ••     r  S..P. 

LETTER       LXXVII. 
Eftecmed  Frler-:^,     ' 


R 


Emaining  under  a  living  fenfe  l)f  the  good  re- 
ceived by  rhy  rxiiiiillrv,  obliges  me  to  think  it  my 
ciuty  to  let  thtc-hjKiif  ifofn.  me. 


liliil 


[   ^99  1 

I  {1111  keep  the  prcml fed  land  in  flgn 
{low!y  towai'Js  it.  J  would  gladly  be  fcimd  entire— 
lacking  nothing.  I  find  a  loinging  defird  in  my 
heart,  to  be  made  a  partaker  of  the  divine  nature* 
The  enemy  of  my  foul  does  not  make  war  againft 
me,  by  llirring  up  any  of:  my  palTions,'  but  by 
ftriving  to  lull  me  afleep,  ithat-  heiinay  rob  me.  oi 
mine  inheritance,  -by  c^ufing  me  to  rell:  fhoit  of 
the  promife;  but  I  firmly  believe,-.,  that  nothinc: 
will  prevail  with  me,  lo  leave  off  wieftling,  till 
I  receive  the  blefTing.  :    ; 

f'loag  to  know  the  will  of..my.  heavenly  Father 
more  *perfe6tly,'  that  all  my  time  m.a^-  be  fpent  to 
his  glory;  T-he  profits  and  pleafure^  of  this  world, 
appear  in  my  eyes,  altogether  lighttr  than  vanity* 
i  chink  I  may  fafely  fay,  -my.  ti^-i\ire  is  in  heaven* 
My  affections  are  not  fet  qn*  things  below,  i  am 
fure,  the  ftrongefl:  defixe  of  my  foul,  is,  .t;hat  Jefus 
would  make  his  abode  with,  me,  and  fulfil  his  will 
in  me.  I  feel  no  other  defire  at  prefent,  as  to  my 
temporal  affairs,  but  that  Provi;dence  may  order 
tliem  mofl  for  my  ij)iritual  advantage.  One  thing 
have'I  defiFed  of  the  Lord;  that  will  I  feek  after: 
that  I  ma]^  <lwell  in  the  houfe  of  the  Lord,  all  the 
days  of  my  lifje ;  to  behold  the  beauty  of  the  Lord, 
and  to  enquire  in  Ixis- temple.  I  have  found  a  great 
change  iri  the  fruit  of  my  imagination,  fince  I  firil: 
heard  you ;  w^hich  encourages  me  to  hope,  I  fhall 
witness  :t he  thoughts;  of  my  heart  to  be  good  con- 
tinually: when  this  blefled  change  comes,  I*fha}I 
be  at  reft  ;  for  "  Lord,  thou  knoweft  my  defire  'is 
to  awake  with  tjiy  likenefs,  haften  the  time,  I  be- 
feecli  thee  ;  for  nothingcan  fatisfy  me,  but  thy  having 
full  dominion  over  me  1.  O!  quicken  me  with  thy 
fpirit,  that  I  may  call  upon  thee."  I  know  it  muft 
be  my  corruptions,  which  hinder  me  from  con- 
ftantly  enjoying  my  God.     O !  may  I  receive  faith, 

to 


[    200    ] 

ft)  overcome  all  things.  Our  Saviour  bids  us  be  of 
ffood  chear  \  ke  has  overcome  the  ivorld^  and  f  be- 
lieve, all  that  foHow  him,  fhall  obtain  the  vifkory. 
I  know  my  Lord  often  breaks  bread  to  my  hungry 
foul,  and  hands  forth  to  me  the  wiry^  of  the  king- 
dom. He  himfelf  creates  In  my  heart,  a  grateful 
remembrance  of  his  love  to  me,  by  pouring  into 
my  foul  thankfgiving-  andpraife. 

O  !  hc'W  Tweet,  how  glorious  it  is,  when  we 
open  the  door  of  our  hearts,  .and  the  Lord  of  life 
comes  and  fups  wiifi  us?  'Tis  impoffibie  for  me 
to  tell  thee,  how  unv/onhy  I  fee  myfelf  of  every 
bJelfing  I  enjoy ;  yet  feel  fuch  afliirances  of  love, 
fuch  divine  confolaiicn,  as  caufes  my  eyes  often  to 
overflew  with  rears  of  joy  }  how  full  of  blefTing-s 
does  my  pafJ  life  appear  to  me  now}  every  bitter 
cup  I  have  drunk,  I  plainly  fee  was  a  healthy  po- 
tion to  my  foul !  I  felt  the  drawings  of  my  Father's 
love  from  my  very  infancy  I  his  holy  fpirit  was 
ftrivinec  with  me;  and  when  I  rebelled,  he  brought 
me  back,  and  baptized  me  in  the  water  of  afflic- 
tion, and  then  fealed  his  pardoning  love  to  me. 
In  my  latter  days,  he  has  brought  me  acquainted 
with  his  choiceil:  fervanis ;  increafed  my  faith  by 
them^  and  driven  me  a  promife,  of  dwelling  In  the 
land  which  fioweth  v/ith  milk  and  honey* 

Yet  am  I  fcijl  ungrateful,  to  this  bell  of  bene- 
faftors!  I  know,  I  do  not  love  him  as  1  ought;  nor 
fcrve  him  as  I  defirc.  I  find  great  relu£lance  in 
reproving  fin  ;  yet  it  grieves  me  when  I  behold  it. 
I  would  fain  perfuade  others  (by  being  holy  in  all 
manner  of  converfation)  to  feel^  after  the  good 
which  I  enjoy.  O !  may  I  thus  attain  to  be  a 
preacher  of  righteoufnefs.  I  have  often  wifhed 
my  heart  were  laid  open  for  all  the  world  to  be- 
hold it;  for  I  am  fure,  they  would  fee  my  affec- 
tions arc  not  fet  upon  it,  nor  any  thing  in  it. 

I  know 


J    20T    3 

I  know- dyery  deed,  and  every  tllcught  miifl  he 
broug:lu  toli^hr;  nnd  therefore  1  admire  at  people's 
being  fo  very -nliTch  againll:  confelling  tlieir  faiihs, 
one  to  another,/  I  believe  thofe  who  keep  ilncUy 
to  truth,  in  ttlling* their  eXperiidrHes,  dk)'*  much 
good  to  alhiTff,  'whether  thc?y  are  f^eeking  the  Lord, 
or  othdrwife;  and  I  can  therefore  fry,  I  have  felt 
ereat  comfort,  in  telling  others  how  the  Lord  dea's 
•with  me.  •■■'■■•'■  "      ^v....      •    -   —  -' 

1  behevr  many  of.  your  hearers  would  find  it 
morepfpfirabte  for  their  owii  fouls,  wire  they  to 
wait  upon  the  Lord  before  the  ferv/ice  be-gins  j  r-and 
to  feel  after  him  all  the  time,  if 'hsply  they  m;^y 
find  hijn.  O  !  may  tlie  Lord  preferveug  frem  k'n- 
nrng  intt)^  arjy  extrerne,  and^give  us  ^  rjght  jiidg- 
ili  k  nV  fr  a] !  .till  nes^  J  J  "*  .  .  ;  .* . . .  \  .  j 
\  havej  ffeyeral  tiipes^been  wjth  ^fcm/e  .  of  the 
€T>VtVlli'^ofE^glanJ,^wh^  to.diicoui;fe 

abou't  t^e ffiings^of  Gbdi^.T.^ cLi'l^^  ,lie  clad  to  know 
what  bo(iks  tlioii'Vculdeft^^  acfvUe  Teekin^  jO''^'is  tp 
readf 'fof  it  Teetns't'o  rrf^,.  t^iaVtfiey  know  riot* how 
to'  make' a  right'  choice'  for  themfelves.  .1  iiave 
found  comfort  iri  converTms^'  V('1t{i-  theni/ "'  V  hcpe 
a  true    e^ofp^el   minift^ '  will    foon   be    fent'.uiitb 

■them.-       '  :'■*■.;"■'.'.,.:*.';.:";"■-*-•■ 

I  meet  with   feme   who^are'feekinsr  aftir  fic'li- 


ig<^  dhe'ai^othtr  to  go^' 
I'believe\hotJ  haif  reafon  fof  nbt  l^tTn^mV'hear 
from'  thee  ;  but  I  "do  nOt  think  it'is  it)  prevent  my 
wriring'tt?  thee,  artd  therefore  take,  th'is  freedciii. 
1  (fan  truly  fay,  I  holcl  ho  man's  peffon  in  admira- 
rron;  bfit  I  know  'tis' the  will  of  my  Father',  that^l 
Oiould  htghly  efleem  thofe  In  love,  wliohi  he  has 
made  inflrumcnts  of  good  to  me  ;  for''whic:h  reafcn, 
it  would  be  :a  refrclhing  to  me  to  hear  of  thy  wel- 
fare. 


[  202  } 
iParc.  I  am  fiire  it  is  my  fervent  dtfire,  that  tHc 
people  over  whom  the  Lord  has  made  you  over- 
ieer,  may  become  a  church  without  wrinkle  or 
'pot,  that  the  dtfire  of  fhv  foul  may  be  fatisficd. 
In  the  fuloTv-ihip  of  the  Holy  Ghoft, 

I  remain  thy  unworthy  Friend. 

S.  p:^ 

LETTER      LXXVIIL 
Dear  Friend, 


T 


HY  Letter  I  received,  and  have  long  thcu^^Ht 
to  anfwer  it.  At  times,,  my  foul  has  be^n  full  of 
love;  but  I  have  not  had  opportunity  to  write  to 
thee  at  thofe  feafons;  yet  I  cannot  refrain  telling 
thee,  Iftili  retairra  lively  gratkude,  a  ilncere  fhank- 
fulnefs  to  the  Ahiiighry,  for  bringing  me  acquainted 
with  you ;  and  1  earneftly  defire,  that  I  may  not 
be  a  forgetful  hearer.  I  hope  it  has  not  only  been 
a  blcffin.^;  to  my  own  foul,  but  has  diffufed  itfclf 
to  c  thers  alfCK  i  ftnd  a  conflant  defire  to  improTe,. 
not  bury,  the  one  t;.lent  committed  to  me ;  not 
thi.t  i  may  receive  nnv  prai:'e  ;  no,  verily.  I  know 
I  g -in  the  contempt  of  the  world,  by  fpeoding  my 
time  with  poor  Timers;  for'l  already  hear,  that  I 
fay,  and  do  thinj^s  ihat  I  never  thought  of:  yet,  I 
carneftly  defire  I  iv.zy  be  employed  by  the  Lord^- 
people,  if  but  as  a  htwer  of.ilone,  or  a  drawer  of 
Water;  for  I  plainly  perceive  no  member  in  his 
church  is  to  ftand  idle;  no  vefiel  in  his  houfe  is  to 
be  ufelefs.  I  defire  no  extraordinary  gifts  to  glo- 
rify my  Father:  all  my  wifh  is,  that  he  would  glo- 
rify himfelf  by  me,  in  the  way  and  manner  he  thinks 
beil.     There  is  no  blefii'ig,    I  fo  conftantly,    and 

fervently 


{    203    j 

fervently  dcfirc,  as  lowlnefs  o{  heart.  Pride  is 
the  ftrongeft  hold,  (he  enemy  of  my  foul  has  in 
me:  I  abhor  it  mod  of  all  Cm,  yet  I  okener  feel  it 
ftir  in  me  rl\an  any  other  evil  whatever;  but  I 
know  if  I  «;ntinue  looking  unto  Jefus,  i  (hall  be 
more  than  conqueror. 

Several  of  our  friends  have  agreed  to  meet  toge- 
ther, on  piirpofe  to  declare  our  experiences  freely 
to  each  other.  Laft  third  day,  I  felt  a  great  re- 
lu£tance  to  go,  hearing  a  Papift  and  feveral  (Grang- 
ers were  to  be  there,  on  my  account.  My  heart 
was  very  heavy,  becaufe  I  thought  I  (lioujd  have 
nothing  to  fay  to  them.  I  beibiiicht  the  Lord,  and 
he  comforted  me;  and  blelfed  be  his  holy  name, 
he  give  me  power  to  declare  tuily  and  limply,  his 
dealings  with  me;  and  I  have  caufe  to  believe  his 
blelling  attended  it.     I  went  home  rejoicing. 

The  next  evening  1  went  to  a  fociety  of  church- 
men, which  is  kept  at  a  Shoemaker's  houfe.  They 
read  and  prayed,  and  then  concluded  with  finging. 
When  they  had  done,    I  read  a  letter  of  S  ■ 

D 's  to  them,    and  gave  them  a  fermon  on 

Perfection.  Some  of  them  are  very  loving  to  me, 
but  other's  are  biggotted  againrt  the  Quakers,  and 
(I  bflieve)  think  {  have  fome  defign  upon  them. 
But  I  can  truly  fay,  I  have  no  party  to  fet  up;  I 
have  no  defue  .to  promote  any  thing  amongft  them, 
beiides  holinsfs.  Poor  creatures,  they  are  igno- 
rant as  ret ;  but  the  Lord  does  not  defpife  the  day 
of  fmall  things. 

At  times*,  I  have  full  afTurance  given  me,  that 
1  fhall  be  made  whole  :  the  day  of  my  redemption 
feems  to  draw  near.  At  other  times,  the  happy 
day  feems  to  be  far  off". 

I  grow  ftronger,  for  I  feel  my  own  weaknef* 
every  day^  All  Hn  appears  exceeding  fmful  to  me  : 
I  often  think  what  manner  of  perfon  I  ought  to  be 

in 


[  ^04  1 
in  all  holy  converfatlon.  O  !  that  all  your  hearers 
may  be  heartHy  concerned  to  brin^  forth  fruit  to 
ihe  glory  of  God;  (of  I  am  fure,  unlefs  we  do, 
t)ur  condemnation  will  be  greater  than  theirs  who 
defpifeus! 

1  find  an  entire  freedom,  v/hen  I  am  writing  to 
ihy  brother,  or  thee.  An  imfpeakable  blefl'mg  it 
is  to  me,  that  my  God  has  removed  all  party  reii* 
gion  farfiom  nie.  T cannot  cr)  up  what  God  has 
done,  in  cppcfition  to  what  he  is  doing :  fo  long 
as  WL  trid)  love  our  head,  Chrift  jefiisy  I  am  fiire 
^ve  lliali  love  his  members,  fnppofe  our  judgment 
l)e  nC'L  convinced  of  the  truth  oi  ever)  opinion  they 
hoid. 

iitbinkrl  may  fliy,  if  ever  I  heard  the  gofpel 
preached  in  my  life,  I  did  it  lately  by  a  poor  man, 
who  came  to  vifit  us.  He  ea'rneilly  preffed  us  all 
to  die  to  fin,  and  live  unto  righteoufnefs.  O!  that 
the  Ix)rd  would  raife  up  more  fuch  plain,  honeft 
teachers,  of  a  noble  Catholic  fpirit!  then  ff^ould 
we  piofper. 

I  have  this  day  tafrtd  how  good  the  Lord  is  y 'he ' 
has  refreihed  me  with  his  prefence,  but  O ! "  my' 
friend  it  isimpoffible  for  me  to  tell  thee  how  much' 
I  long  full)  to  enjoy  him.  If  thy  butniefs  will  ad- 
mit,. I  Should  be  glad. to  hear  from  fhee.  In  tlte 
love  of  our  dear  Lord  Jefus  I  remain, 

Thv  Friend,'  ' 

•s.  p. 

L    E     T     T     E    R        LXXIX. 

X  Rctiirh  my  deaf  friend  manj  thanks  for  fo  Toon 
aniV^nng  my  letter^  -I  hore'-X.fan  .bkrs  God  ios  ' 
*  '  his 


I 


[    205   ] 

his  great  goodnefs  to  you;  and  It  (hall  be  my 
prayer  to  my  heavenly  Father,  that  he  wodld  give 
you  all  that  may  conduce  to  make  you  liappy  in 
life,  eaf;  and  joyful  at  the  approach  of  death,  and 
meet  to  ppTtake  of  thofe  pleafures  that  are  at  his 
right  hand  for  ever.  Let  us  yield  ourfelvcs  unto 
God  !  I  hope  the  Lord  v/ill  give  you  grace  to  (land 
firm  to  the  truth,  unto  'the  end.  Indeed  I  have 
ever  found  it  good  to  be  on  the  Lord's  fide  :  and 
though  as  poor,  faint-hearted,  blundering  a  crea- 
tur?:  as  ever  was  kept  in  the  v/ay  ;  ye^I  blefs  the 
Hame  of  the  Lord,  who  has  not  fuffered  me  v/il- 
fully-  and  wickedly  to  depart  from  him. 

I  fee  many  running  the  heavenly  race,  'and  I 
would  <rl.i{ily  run  with  them ;  but  alas !  I  find 
myk  I;  too  weak  to  keep  pace  with  them  :  yet  bl'"::r- 
fed  be  God,  1  am  refolved  by  his  grace,  that  though 
I  cannot  run  with  them,  I  will  creep  after  them  ; 
and  I  hope  fliortly  to  fit  at  the'r  feet  in  the  New 
Jcrufalem.  But  I  cannot  be  content  to  have  my 
iViendTake  mv  pace:  I  woiilj  have  him  a  runner: 
may  the  Lord  grant  he  may  be  clad  with  zeal  as 
with  a  cloak.  I  believe  you  fee  many  things  at 
prefent  that  might  amufe  a  carnal  mind,  there  are 
many  fmooth  ways  to  hell :  how  diiSicult  it  is  to 
avoid  them  ail!  what  care  and  prayer  dees  it  re- 
quire! 


"  The  path  of  virtue  far  more  ru>T;r  '  " 
«'  Bat  Oh!   it  leads  to  cverlafling^bhfs ! 


My  bed  love  to  all  friends,  ^ 

I  am,  <i-c. 

K.  G. 
T  L  E  T- 


[206   J 

LETTER       LXXX. 

Dear  ***. 


G 


OD  is  love:  Chrlft's  yoke  is  eafy.  If  the 
Lord  IS  our  fhepherd  we  (hall  wAnt  nothing.  Shall 
we  ever  meet  in  heaven  ?  I  hope  we  fhall.  Yet  a 
few  moments  more,  and  he  that  fbali  come,  vuiU 
come,  and  will  not  tarry.  We  Ihall  (hortly  behold 
him  without  a  veil.  That  av/ful  day  will  fui-eiy 
come.  It  will  little  avail  us  then  what  opinion  we 
are  of;  but  what  we  really  are.  Lord  fearch,  and 
try  me,  that  1  may  not  be  confoundec^  at  that 
day. 

I  have  changed  my  place  of  abode,  and  find 
many^new  trials;  but,  indeed,  the  Lord  is  good 
to  me,  and  his  grace  will  be  fufficient  for  me. 
We  have  nothing  to  fear  but  fin,  if  we  have  given 
ourrtivcs  to  the  Lord.  I  fear  the  love  of  many 
waxes  cold  ;  but  let  us  be  humble  and  watchful. 
Devote  ycurfelf  to  the  Lord,  and  then  you  cannot 
cxpe£t  too  much  from  him  :  he  will  far  outdo  your 
higheil  expeftations.  God  is  a  tried  Friend;  but 
let  us  prepare  for  temptation?:  When  fhall  we 
ier.ve  ail  for  Chriil  ?  When  fhall  we  glory  in  no- 
ihing  but  his  crofs  ?  When  v,:e  are  as  v/ife  as  wc 
ought  to  be,  we  fhall.  O  Lord,  teach  us  this  blef- 
fed  lelTon.  I  think  I  do  love  Jefus  Chrifl ;  and 
how  am  I  beholcen  to  him  lor  this?  But  O  my 
^sr  Lord  and  God,  my  Kinar  and  Saviciw,  help 
me  to  love  thee  better.  My  wifli  fcr  you  is  that 
you  may  truly  know,  and  then  I  am  fure  ycuv/i'l 
love  him.  You  wil'  find  him  a  fympathizing 
Friend  in  all  yourafHiclions ;  a  f^rong  Deliverer  in 

a'! 


[    207    ] 

■all  your  trids ;  and  a  wife  Adviferin  every  doubt- 
ful circumftance.     The  Lord  blefs  you. 

I  am,  &c. 

E.  G. 

LETTER       LXXXI. 


I 


My  dear  Friend, 


Have  often  thought  of  my  dear  friends  at  L — 
fince  I  left  you. 

1  have  now  no  one  to  fpeak  my  mind  freely  and 
fully  unto,  but  Jefus  Chrift :  in  his  attentive  and 
compaflionate  ear,  I  pour  out  my  frequent  prayer; 
and  tie  hears  and  helps  me  fpe^dil^  Ai-thai  having 
now  noliumin  helps  or  comforters,  I  need  nonej 

"   Chriil;  is  all  the  world  Jto  me, 
"  And  all  my  heart  is  love." 

I  had  a  little  illnefs  the  other  week,  but  it  was 
acceptable  to  me,  and  good  for  me.  Nothing  is 
amifs  my  Saviour  doth.  I  need  not  be  careful  about 
any  thing.  For  I  know  all  things  do,  and  will 
work  together  for  my  good,  fo  long  ai  I  love  him, 
which  1  intend  to  do  for  ever.  Oh!  the  fweet- 
nefs  of  that  rcil:,  which  is  obtained  by  leaving  all 
defire,  but  that  of  pleafing  and  enjoying  Jefus. 
One  day  here  is  better  than  a  thoufand.  What 
are  all  the  riches,  pleafures,  and  honours  of  this 
world,  when  compared  with  the  treafures  of 
Chrifl's  grace,  the  fweetnefs  of  his  love  he  puti 
upon  the  faints  ?  They  bare  not  fo  great  a  propor- 
tion to  them,  a>  the  fmalleit  grain  of  fand,  to  the 
|»rcatcft  xnountiin,  or  a  fecond  of  time  to  ten  thou- 
T  2  -  fand 


[   208    ] 

Ian  J  agcF.  IF  we  always  fee  them  in  thisitght, 
and  feel  them  make  correfpondent  impreflions  upon 
our  minds,  liow  eafy  will  it  be  to  prefer  them  to 
the  other !  How  unable  will  the  things  of  time  be 
to  warp  our  juderments,  or  draw  cur  aflFe^lions  to 
their  intereil !  With  what  patience  fhall  we  bear 
affli6licns,  lofTes,  and  difappointments:  and  with 
what  eafe  ihall  we  deny  ourfelves  of  any  thing  that 
wotiid  rob  us  of  our  Savicuf's  love!  How  light 
would  flander  and  difgrace  fit  upon  us,  while  con- 
fcious  we  are  approved,  and  honoured  of  God  ! 
W  hat  a  fmall  thing  to  be  poor,  in  this  world,  when 
v/e  have  wealth  enough  at  home,  in  heaven!  and 
how  can  we  polTibly  want  pleafure,  while  we  re- 
joice in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God  ! 

Let  net  your  heart  fay,  "  But  this  is  not  the 
CTifQ  with  nW*  When  you  examine  your  (late, 
put  mercy  and  loving  klnunefs  enough  in  (he  op- 
pofite  fcale  to  your  demerit,  and  unworlbinefs. 
When  you  reafon  ;  let  not  unbelief  but  faitlv-draw 
the  conclufion,  and  when  you  are  tempted,  think 
not  of  your  own  weaknefs,  but  of  Chrill's  ftrength. 
God  be  with  your  fpirit. 

Farewell. 


LETTER       LXXXIL 


M 


Y     good  Friend  will  not  be  furprizcd  if  I 

tell  him,  I  have  been  fome  time  hefitating  whether 
i  fhouU  write  or  not.  By  the  light  I  have  f  fee 
fo  much  darknefs,  and  fo  much  vilenefs,  that  I 
tear  almoft  to  write  a  fingle  fentence,  left  I  (houl<^. 
be  guilty  of  that  mockery,  which  is  an  abomination 
to  the  Gpd  of  f\acerify. 

You 


[    209    ] 

You  have  fometimes  gently  reproved  me  for 
ftimplaining ;  but  is  there  not  a  caufe?  I  can,  I 
muft  complain  •  but  not  of  my  Lord  :  He  is  ftill 
gracious,  or  my  ingratitude  had  funk  me  beyond 
the  reach  of  mercy,  long  e'er  now.  Thefe  line? 
are  a  proof  that  he  is  gracious  and  merciful  \  flow 
to  anger y  and  of  abundant  kindn^fs.  This  (hews  yoU 
that  I  am  out  of  hell.  Nay  more,  you  muft  glo- 
rifv  the  Lord  with  me,  for  he  tells  me  '*  I  am  thy 
falvation."  O  my  brother,  what  a  good  Saviour 
is  this  that  faveth  mel  what  a  great  Phyfician  is 
he  who  healeth  me.  It  is  true  (and  I  mufl  pro- 
claim it  aloud  upon  the  houfe  tops)  that  Jefus 
Chrift  does  fave  even  me. 

Since  I  left  L my  foul  has  been  in  prifon, 

*'  Deep  called  unto  deep,  at  the  noife  of  his  water 
"  fpouts;  all  his  billows  ran  over  me."  I  have 
been  indeed  like  Jonah  in  the  whale's  belly ;  yet 
out  of  the  bdly  of  hell  I  cried,  and  he  heard  me. 
1  funk  down  infenfibly,  till  I  became  as  if  I  had 
had  no  God:  temptation  poured  in  like  a  flood: 
and  for  feveral  days,  I  thought  I  could  gladly  have 
contented  myfelf  to  have  been  a  Ao^  rather  than 
a  man.  But  in  a  little  time  he  returned,  and  with 
loving  kindnefs  he  gathered  me.  Did  I  not  think 
you  acquainted  with  thefe  things,  I  fliould  wave 
telling,  what  mufc  appear  enthufiafm  to  a  natural 
man.  \n  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  he 
let  me  fee  that  Chrift's  body  was  broken  for  me  ; 
that  Chrifl's  blood  was  fhedforme:  he  healed  my 
backflidings,  and  loved  me  freely.  For  three  whole 
days^I  found  his  peace  and  lovefo  eminently  in  my 
heart,  that  I  began  to  think  he  had  perfe6ted  me 
in  holinefs.  O  how  good  It  is  *'  to  go  by  the  foot- 
**  fteps  of  the  flocks,  and  feed  one's  kids  befides  the 
^'  fliepherd's  tents  I"  but  now  I  know  he  hath  not 
yet  brought  me  forth,  I  have  not  "yet  attained;  I 
T3  feel 


[   210   ] 

fccj  my  heart  yet  impure  :  but  pray  forme,  while 
I  tell  you  with  reverence,  rrven  I  begin  to  feel  my* 
confcience  "quick  as  the  apple  of  an  eye."  I  do 
not  feel  that  humility  I  want  in  telHng  this, —  I  fear 
to  proceed — but  pray  for  me. 

Let  me  entreat  you  my  dear  friend,  to  prefs  for- 
ward, and  ilrive  to  beheve.  Leave  reafoning,  and 
come  nakedly  to  Jefus  Chrift,  Believe  on  the  Lord 
J  ejus  Chrifiy  and  thou  Jhalt  be  faved. 

I  know  I  am  unworthy  to  fpeak  in  my  Mafter's 
name,  yet  I  cannot  contentedly  fee  you  groping  in 
the  dark,  without:  telling  you  of  the  Sun  of  Righ- 
teoufnefs.  Indeed  there  is  no  humility  in  faying 
I  am  a  pattern  ot  mercy  :  'tis  plain  truth,  and  I 
feel  it :  if  he  faves  me,  he  is  not  willing  that  any 
fhould  perifh.  Novo  is  the  accepted  time  for  you. 
Caft  not  thefe  words  behind  you,  for  God  is  wil- 
'ling  you  fhould  now  be  faved.  lam  grieved,  my 
foui  mourns,  becaufe  you  dare  not  fay  *'  The  Lord 
is  my  right(^oufn-fs.''^  You  (land  at  a  distance  ;  you 
do  not  venture  on  him.  O  commit  your  foul 
unto  the  Lord.  He  is  able  and  he  will  keep  it, 
and  prefent  it  fpotlefs  at  h.s  Father's  right  hand. 
While  you  feek  him  in  his  ordinances,  fland  Jlilly 
and  fee  the  falvation  of  God. 

Pray  for  me  that  I  may  be  kept  from  the  evil 
that  is  in  the  world.  I  hope  to  remember  you  (if 
living)  before  my  Father's  throne,  while 

I  am  yours,  ^'C.    . 

LETTER       LXXXin. 


I 


My  dear  Brother, 


__  SHOULD  have  anfwered  ycur  kind  letter  be- 
fore, but  focn  aftep^he  leceiptcf  i',    I  f<t  offfor 

N , 


I    211     ] 

N ,  and  am  but  lately  returned.  I  have  been 

fometimes  tempted  to  leave  off  writing  to  any  one, 
unlefs  I  was  obliged  to  it ;  becaufe  I  have  tliought, 
what  I  could  fay  was  fo  ufclefs,  that  my  friends 
might  fpend  their  time  much  better,  than  in  read- 
ing my  letters :  But  it  is  a  bafe  humility  ;  a  plant 
not  of  God's  right-hand  planting ;  and  I  muil  not 
yield.  Indeed,  I  appear  as  it  were,  a  beaft  before 
God;  and  often  wonder,  that  any  one  lakes  notice 
of  me.  I  feel  myfelf  more  than  ever  I  did,  to  be 
poor,  and  blind,  and  naked :  but  poor  as  I  am, 
like  the  widow,  let  me  cart  in  my  mites,  and  wifh 
you  good  luck  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Right 
glad  am  I,  that  you  have  fo  fweet  a.feufe  of  the 
pardoning  love  of  God.  Glory  be  to  him  for  free 
grace  I 

*<  That  we — Children  of  wrath  and  fm, 
"  We  fhould  be  call'd  the  fons  of  God !" 

O I  my  brother  I  do  you  not  feel  the  •p'ower  of 
that  word  ?  tken  Jhall  you  loath  yourf elves  in  your 
own  eyeSy  vjhen  1  am  pacifiedto'-jjards  you,  I  think 
I  am  fick  of  wandering  away  from  the  fountain  of 
life:  I  want  to  be  a  garden  inclofed.  When  will 
my  Lord  appear,  and  lead  captivity  captive.  He  hath 
received  gifts  for  me,  rebellious  as  I  am  ;  and  here 
will  I  reft.  He  hath  chofen  me  in  the  furnace  of 
affliflion.  I  am  the  Lord's;  for  he  hath  bought 
me  with  the  price  of  his  precious  blood.  And 
now, 

'*  My  feeble  foul  (hall  win  the  day, 

"  Tho'  death  and  hell  obftiiia  the  way.'' 

But  fatan  thrufts  hard  at  me,  that  I  might  fall. 
I  have  need  to  ^rafp  my  fhield  ;    to  hold  fa  ft  my 

confidence. 


f  i:2  ] 

confidtncc.  I  to!d  you  before,  that  the  cnemv 
would  moft  oi  a'l  aflauk  ycu  at  this  quaf  rer :  there- 
fore, Paul  wifely  faith,  Jbove  all  i ah  the  jhieH  of 
faith.  By  faith,  we  fhall  remove  mountains,  flop 
the  mouths  of  lions,,  and  out  of  wenkntfs  be  made 

This  laying  hold  of  the  ftrensth  of  God,  is  won- 
derful:  it  made  one  Cry  out  of  old,  "^Through 
Chriil  I  fhall  do  Vciliantly:  I  can  do  all  things 
through  Chrift  {Ircngtlienin^  me."  What  would 
have  become  cf  fo  infignificant  a  creature  as  me, 
had  it  not  been  for  this  ?  O,  Chritl  is  all  in  all  to 
my  foul ! 

"  When  I  appear  in  yonder  cloud, 
*'  With  all  his  favcur'd  throng; 

"  Then  I  fnall  fmg  more  fweet,  more  loud, 
"  And  Chrift  ihall  be  my  fong." 

O  learn  to  love  a  precious  Chrift  !  you  can  never 
love  him  too  much.  Look  on  him,  'till  you  arc 
changed  into  his  image;  till  you  are  fealed  to  the 
day  of  redemption  ;  I  mean,  till  you  are  fwailowed 
up  in  love. 

The  work  of  God  goes  on  at  L -.     Many  are 

awakened.  Many  are  converted.  Many  are  added 
to  th<e  church  of  fuch,  as  I  believe,  fhall  be  faved. 
The  fields  are  v/hite,  ready  unto  harveft  :  pray  the 
"Lord  of  the  haivefl  that  he  would  fend  forth  more 
faithful  labourers.  1  believe  fatan's  kingdom  has 
got  a  feverc  blow,  the  Lord  be  praifed  !  Imufl  tell 
you  fomething  remarkable:  one  that  had  been 
mourning  under  a  fenfe  of  fm  a  long  time,  was 
lately  taken  ill.  For  three  days  and  three  nights 
fhe  was  in  ftrong  agony  of  body  and  foul.  With 
but  very  little  intermiiTion,  fhe  cried  out  all  that 
time,  Jefus,  thou  Son  of  DavJd,  /;«tv  mercy  on  me  f 

At 


C    213    ] 

At  lail,  raifing  her  voice,  (he  flioutcd  aloud, 
*'  Amen!    Halklujah!     Glory  be   to  God  in   the 

highcd!"    and  fell  back,  and  expired.- Let    us 

join  her,  and  cry  Hallelujah,  'till  with  all  the  glo- 
rious throng  above,  we  more  perfediy  fing  to  all 
eternity,  "  Worthy  ts  the  Lamb  'to  receive  honour, 
and  hlejjtng,   ^nd  praifc:'     Even   To   Lord    Jefus. 

Amen. 

I  am,  &c. 

LETTER       LXXXIV. 

My  dear  Friend, 

Y  OUR  kindnefs  of  the  5th  ult.  now  lies  be- 
fore me,  and  was  as  a  cordial ;  for  when  I  received 
it,  it  gave  great  ccmtort  ant;  renei  ^^  ^,1"  .».!....,  ^c 
that  time  under  fomediftrefs.  Indeed,  I  have  fufFered 
many  things  lately,  for  want  of  the  fpirit  of  Lli.  I 
do  not  find  my  eYil  nature  willfufFerme  to  fay,  "  It 
is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  he  w/7/.'*  But  upon 
every  little  crofs,  my  will  is  ready  to  rife  in  rebel- 
lion againft  God  :  I  am  fit  to  murmur,  complain, 
and  become  impatient  upon  every  crofa  that  vifits 
me.  O  how  different  is  my  temper  of  mind,  from 
the  difpofjtion  of  the  blefled,  the  redeeming  Jefus! 
He  was  meek  and  lowly  in  heart;  1  am  peevifhand 
haughty  in  fpirit.  His  ^hole  life  was  made  up  of 
a  feries  ct  temptations,  of  aflRitlions  fpiritual  and 
temporal,  at  which  he  repined  not,  but  committed 
himfelf  to  Him  that  judgeth  rightecufly  :  but  I  am 
an  unrefigned  and  wretched  creature,  without  a 
due  conform>ity  of  temper  and  difpofition  to  my 
Lord.     O  that  I  could  always  fay  with   finceriry 

and 


[214] 

ant]  truth,    «  Not  as  1  will,  but  as  thou  uilt,    0 
Lore/, 

This  is  my  prefent  /Tate,  in  which  I  am  not  with- 
out hope,  that  that  Sariour  who  died  for  me,  will, 
oi  his*  free  grace  and  tender  love,  deftroy  all  thefe 
works  of  fatan  which  ftill  remain  in  me  :  that  he 
wiil  wafh  me  in  his  blood,  fandify  my  nature,  and 
in  his  due  time  beat  down  fatan  under  my  feet. 
But  we  muft  patiently  wait  the  Lord's  ccm«ig, 
and  Hf  that  Jball  come,  will  come,  and  will  not 
farry, 

I  am  your  fmcere  friend. 

LETTER        LXXXV. 

Dear  Sir, 

■*^ 

X  Received  yours,  and  can  afTure  you  it  came  in 
an  acceptable  time. 

"  O  what  is  friendfhip!  why  impreft 

"  On  my  weak,  wretched,  dying  breaft!" 

You  are  welcome  to  a6t  the  part  oi  a  patient, 
4»nd  trolible  me .  (as  you  call  it)  with  your  com- 
plaints: you  may  depend  upon  the  beft  affiftance 
your  unworthy  friend  is  able  to  alford. 

1  am  ferry  your  hafte  Mi  unbelief  caufes  you  to 
have  hard  thoughts  of  him,  who  is  love  in  the  ab- 
fira6t.  Your  reafons  for  fuch  a  conduft:  are  not 
Jiifncient.  Forget  not  to  offer  praife  for  the  mer- 
cies you  have  already  received  :  by  this  means  wili 
you  be  enabled  quietly  to  wait,  and  at  the  fame 
time,  earneftly  to  contend,  for  an  increafe  of  that 
fiith,  which  will  produce  in  you  a  greater  abun- 
dance 


[  215  3 

-riance  oi  all  the  fryits  of  the  fpirit.  As  a  meair^  to 
this  great  end,  pray  for  patience  with  )ouiieiL 
Your  unenfincfs  many  times  arifes,  when  you  rc- 
niember  thofe  mercies  by  which  you  are  dil>.in- 
-^uifhcd  from  many  who  are  around  you,  from  con- 
tiderini^  what  ungrateful  returns  }  .^u  haTe  made  h^r 
this  wafte  of  love. 

It  would  be  well  for   you  to   dwell  mere   upcii 
the  loving-kindnefs  of  him,    who  hath  calied  you 
out  of  darknefs  into   his  marvellous  light.      This, 
^vill  ha>^e  upon  your  mind  a  transforming  influence. 
You  will  perhaps  reply,    "  But  you   little   know 
how  many  are  m)  hinderances." — I  am  not  entirely 
ignorant  of  what  hurtful  impreiTions  your  mind  is 
fufceptible  :    and  1  muft  intreat  you,  if  you  intend 
to  grow  in  grace,  to  fet  a  double  watch  upon  that 
dangerous  avenue  to  your  foul,    yoyr  imagination. 
You  feem  very  fenfible  of  the  ba0BBt6ts  of  givinif 
loo'c  to  this  excurfive  faculty  :  an^^Byou  narrowly 
ex  mine  your  own  heart,    you  wST  perhaps  find, 
that    that    infenfibility  to   the   things  of  God,    of 
wiiieh  I  have   heard  you  complain,    is  cccafioned 
,.  by  your  imagination  being   too   much   employed 
with  things  of  a  contrary  nature. 

It  IS  a  great  thing  to  keep  the  heart  with  all  d*- 
ligence,  for  truly  ct  it  are  tlie  ifTuts  of  life,  i  on  v  ill 
find  occafion  often  to  remember  the  words  ol  cur 
i  ord  ;  He  that  will  be  my  difcipU^  muji  deny  hirn^ 
feit\  takfk  up  his  crcfs,  and  Jo  How  me.  Yonr  hr]-*- 
pinefs  will  greatly  depend  upon  a  right  divifion  or 
your  time.  Your  bufinefs  requires  many  hou's  of 
the  day  :  may  tlie  Lord  liclp  you  to  employ  wiat 
is  given  up  to  his  immediate  fervice  to  the  befl: 
advantage. 

It  is  cur  miCrcy,  that  v/e  have  not  an  high-ptieft 
that  cannot  fvmpa?hize  with  our  infirmities,  but 
who  was  in   all  points  tempted  like  unto  us;    and 

the 


[  2i6  ] 

the.  rcafon  for  it  is  g;vrn  hy  the  apoftle,    T/iai  he 
fiiight  hf  able  to  fuccour  thofe  nvho  ore  tempted* 
I  am,  with  the  greatef>  fincerity. 

Your  friend,  &c. 

*-^   »-**  ^  ^  w^  K.   ^    if  ^^\    W^    tf  ■  >^     -^^  ^^  fc\    'M^    #■  *-^    ^—    -^-^ 

^^••^^  ^^r"  •■»  ^^^F^^"i  %"i^  ^^  ^'  *^  ^^  "  ^^yw^^-* 

LETTER      LXXXVI. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  v  K  T  ncthing  difcourage  you  from  the  pur- 
fuit  of  that  (late  of  perfe61:ion,  which  is  attainable 
to  a!l  thofe  who  feek  the  Lord  jefus  in  fincerity 
and  truth;  and  then  no  difficulty  will  he  found  fo 
great,  as  to  be  unfurmountable  by  bis  grace.  This 
I  have  in  feme  meafure  experienced  :  for  fure 
there  was  nf  vejfc  fon  of  Adam  called  to  a  fenfe  of 
fo  many  fins  aaSiad  really  committed.  My  whole 
life  was  nothi^  but  a  varied  fcene-of  defeQ:ion 
from  God  :  fo  that  my  foul  was  fpotted  like  the 
leopard,  or  rather  infe6ted  like  the  leper's  (kin. 

But  yet,  my  friend,  notwithftanding  all  this  evil 
in  my  nature,  I  can  fay,  and  that  with  a  reafcn- 
ablc  afiiirance,  that  the  f-lood  of  Chr'tjl  cleanfeth  from 
all  fm.  Mv  fins  were  as  fcarlet,  but  the  redeeming 
Jefus  hath  made  them  whiter  than  fnow.  I  have 
taped  that  the  Lord  is  gracious,  and  that  his  mercy 
enduretk  for  ever.  With  me  the  work  of  grace 
has  been  carried  on  in  a  regular  progreffive  man- 
ner, firft  by  ftrong  corvi6l:ions,  then  by  juftifica- 
tion  through  the  blood  of  Chrift,  and  now,  I  hope, 
the  Lord  is  carrying  on  the  work  of  fanclificstion. 
Thefe  dates  have  iheir  different  temptations,  and 
peculiar  trials,  under  \vhich  there  ftems  nothing 
fo  defirable  as  thegrnce  of  an  humble,  metk,  and 
quiet  fpirit.     When  wc   can   take   up  cur  crofs 

daily 


[    iX7    ] 

daily  with  a  fipnllar  fpirit  to  our  Saviour,  and  fay 
with  freedom  of  heart,  Father,  thy  will  be  done  ; 
then  ihall  we  be  able  to  rejoice  in  temptations,  and 
experience  the  truth  of  our  Lord's  words.  His  yoke 
is  eafyy  and  his  burthen  light. 

My  trials  are  chiefly  of  the  internal  kind:  thefe 
daily  affli6t  me  ;  but  the  Lord  delivereth.  me  out  of 
all.  And  what  i's  fingular  is,  that  in  all  the  anxiety 
and  diftrefs  under  which  I  labour,  I  have  not  the 
leaft  difpofition  to  complain  to  man:  nor  can  I  ob- 
ferve  that  any  perfon  conceives  I  fuffer,  or  is  ap- 
prehenfive  of  my  trouble. 

I  hope  the  work  of  grace  profpers  in  the  heart*" 
of  our  friends  here.  The  Lord  is  loving  to  everv 
man;  and  would  we  call  out  the  various  idols 
which  poffefs  our  fouls,  and  by  his  fovereign  aici 
deflro'y  the  anticnt  inhabitants  of  the  land,  then 
would  he  abide  with  us  for  ever.  But  alas!  how  like 
the  Ifraelites  of  old,  do  we  retain  too  great  a  friend- 
fh"ip  for  the  former  images  that  engaged  our  affec- 
tions ;  and  norhing  but  divine  grace  can  reflrain  us 
from  worfhipping  the  antient  idols  of  Caiiaan.  How- 
happy  iliould  we  be,  would  we  efchew  our  plea- 
fures,  and  continually  refift  all  feli-love,  thea 
fhould  we  go  on  from  flrength  to  flrength. 
I  am,  with  due  refpefi:,  yours  fincerely. 

L     E    T    T    E    R       LXXXVil. 
Dear  Sir, 


T 


HOUGH    it  Is  impofTh^e  for  words  ^o  ex 

pre%  the  Jenfe  I  have  of  th:  many  obligations  ^  am 

und-T  to  you,    yet  I  muil  make  the  attrmp  ,    by 

thanking  you  for  the  kind  enquiry  ycu  made  in 

^  your 


[      2l8     ] 

oui;  letters  to  Mr.  ***  after  the^flate  of  my  foul, 
i  can  Qy  little  elfe  but  Praife  the  Lord,  0  my  foul, 
r.nd  'jorget  not  all  his  benefits.  He  has  not  only 
faved  my  life,  but  is  fl;l!  crown'ng  that  life,  he  fo 
wonderfully  preferved,  with  his  ioci'ing  kindnefs  and 
hourly  niercits.  I  cannot  dillrufl:  the  tender  mer- 
cy of  my  God,  either  in  time  cr  in  efernity  :  and 
I  can  truly  fay,  that  every  bleilins  I  ha:Ve  experi- 
enced, or  can  defire  for  myfelf,  1  wilh  and  fray 
may  defcend  upon  ycu  I  hope  )  cu  do  not  forget 
to  pray  that. I  may  giorify  God  with  n":y  body  and 
fpirit  which  ^re  doubly  his.  I  find  I  cannot  love 
him  as  I  would;  buti  rejoice  in  the  pro^pe£l  of 
that  biifsiul  hoiu",  v/hen  I  ihall  call  the  crown  he 
gives  at  his  feet,  and  cry  without  ceafing,  with  itn- 
wearied  ardour,  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  ivas  Jlain, 
to  receive  all  honour,  and  ^lory,  and  praife.  The 
thousrht  of  this  employ,  oltentimcs  overwhelms 
me  in  joy  that  is  unfpeal-.able  a?id  full  of  glcry. 

O  dear  Sir,  praife  the  Lord  with  me,  until  we 
magiiit'y  his  name  for  ever.  I  truft  I  fnall  meet 
your  happy  fpirit  in  that  day,  entire  and  lacking 
no'thingj  without  fpot  or  blemiih,  before  the 
throne.  May  he  who  fits  thereon  dire 51  your  heart 
into  fiis  per  fe<^  love,  and  to  a  patient  waiting  for  the 
coming  of  Chrifl* 

Yours,  &c. 

LETTER       LXXXVin. 

To  the  SOCIETY  at  Norwich, 
Dear  Brethren,  Jan.  2i,   1761. 

VJ  RACE,  Mercy,  and  Peace  be  to  you,  from 
God  even  our  Father,   and  from  our  Lord  Jefus 

Chrift 


L     219    . 

Chriil.      Yovr'r  [tuil   lives   are   a  year  ioriii'er,    ana 

your  future  lives  a  year  fiiorter  than  when  1  wroic 

^laft  unto  you.      Arc  you  proportionaLIy  advanced 

in  grace,  and  reduced  in  nature  r 

Vou  are  many  of  y6Uj  already  born  of  Goci, 
v.'afned,  juflified,  and  fanciified;  and  you  Jiop-.^ 
to  be  gloritied  through  the  fplrit,  and  ir.crft  of 
leiusChnll.  Thus  much  you  experience:  there- 
fore you  are  a  chofen  generation^  a  royal  priefr- 
hood,.-  a  peculiar  people,  an  holy  nation.  What 
for?  That  you-  7nioht  Jhoiu  forth  the  pratfes  of  hiv:^ 
ivho  hath  cal'ed  yen  cut  of  darknefs,  ihto  his  riarve!' 
Ions  light,  and  out  of  the  kingdom  oj  Jatcr.  unto  Ccd  ; 
to  rece:ve  forgiveji^fs  of  finsy  and  an  inhcritanc. 
Ainong  the  fdii^rfird.  Thus  writes  Psul,  tiius  writt?. 
Pet^r..  'Therefore  fhew  j.9«  the  nectiTary  and  bler^ 
fed  eH*c6t5,  which  refult  from  fucii  a  "tbte.  Let 
ail}  our  thouarhts,  worda^  and  a6^-ions,,  be  in  Chrifr, 
thiough  Chri'l,.  and  unto  Chriil.  Alh'b  done,  is 
wfll  done;  and  though  undeferving  of  i^ny  rc« 
ward;  yet  is  To  aciptnble  to  our  dear  i.'avicur, 
that  51  has  the  proirjff,  both  of  this  life^  and  of 
that  which  is  to  conic. 

If  ihe  teim  finiefs  perfeclicn  be  difguiirii!  to 
fbrne,  fure  chrKtian  perfecf'on  wil!  be  grau-f^ul  to 
all  who  know  ChrifV.  'Tis  to  love  God  v/nh  all 
our  heart,  ir.ind,  foul,  and  dreng^u  T^us  is 
fciiptural  perfeclicn.  Tliis  is  the  wc^r^f  c:  God. 
This  is  his  ccniaiand.  Yea;  ?.nd  it  is  liJJifral  to 
v\\Q  regenerate  to  defiVe  ih-s.  /, .c  .^11  the  Tons  cf 
God?  Should  you  not  then  be  ML=\vcrs,  (*i"nitn- 
tors)  of  God  as  dear  children?  is  C'.i-n-  ycur 
head,  hcly  ?  lliould  not  you  his  member?  be  holy 
alfo?  Are  you  endued  with  the  gift  of  th-e  fpirit  ? 
fiiould  >  ou  not  ihcn  bring  forth  the  U  uit  cf  the  fpirit  ? 
Coiifidcrall  this.  Why  {hould  we  neole6t,  rcfufe, 
«r  objeQ    to  be  what  is-  mofl  intcrefting,    ard  ad- 

w'    2 


[     220     J 

vantageous  m  our  ftate  ?  And  fo  ncceflary,  that 
i^hough  we  cariTiot  be  faved  for  it,  yet  we  cannot 
be  fa-ved  without  it.  Are  ye  trees  of  righteouf- 
nefs?  Let  the  trees  be  known  by  their  fruit. 

Though  you  are  in  a  flate  of  falvation,  yet  mud 
you  flrive,  to  work  out  your  faivation  with  fear 
and  trembling.  Give,  my  brethren,  give  all  diii- 
gence  to  add  to  your  faith,  virtue;  to  virtue, 
knowledge ;  to  knowledge,  temperance  ;  to  temr 
perancc,  patience;  to  patience,  godlinefs;  to  god- 
linefs,  brotherly-kindnefs ;  to  brotherly-kindnefir, 
charity.  For  if  thefe  tilings  be  in  you,  and  abound> 
they  make  you,  that  yon  fliall  neither  be  barren^ 
or  unfruitful  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jefu& 
Chrifl.  TTiUs  let  us  fee  what  our  Lord  and  we 
fhall  bring  it  to  at  laft.  Are  ye  trees  of  rightepuf-^ 
nefs  ?  Let  the  trees  be  kncwn  by  their  fruit.. 

'Tis  well  known,  wc  muft  go  through  manifold 
temptations  into  the  kingdom.  Our  foes  will  dif- 
putc  it  with  us,  f  very  inch  of  the  ground  to  hea- 
ven. But  what  then?  Greater  is  he,  who  is  in  us, 
than  lit'  who  is  in  tiie  world.  You  may,  nay  you 
mufr,  ftiind  in  the  evil  day;  and  when  you  havf 
tii^ne  all  ftr.nd.  li  you  don't,  the  fault  is  your  own. 
The  cffed  your  ihame.  \^»  are  not  tempted 
above  that  we  are  able.  WjfevtT  fall,  we  never 
fin,  through  the  want,  bi»hrough  th^  abufe  of 
grace.  Nor  is  it  enough  «fcand  our  ground,  but 
we  mufl  conquer  alfo,  or  not  enjoy  the  crown  of 
Iife»  Therefore  when  the  flcfh  tempts  you,  flee^ 
and  pray  ;  v/hen  the  world  tempts  you,  watcj 
pri .  ;  und  when  the  devil  tempts  you,  refiij 
pr::^  So  fliall  ye  be  more  than  conquerors. 
>c  trees  of  righteoufnefs?  Let  the  trees  be  known 
by  their  fruit. 

Suffer  me  to  prefcribe  to  you  a  method,  how  to 
live  one  day  well.     It  may  ferve  for  every  day  after., 

bv 


[      221      J      . 

l^y  repeating  it.  Nor  will  I  prefuqfic  to  lay  a  biir- 
then  on  your  fhoulders,  and  not  touch  it  with  my 
ov/n  fingers. 

As  foon  as  you  awake  in  the  morningj  empicy 
half  an  hour  in  five  things.  Blefs  God  for  the 
mercies  of  the  night  pafl;  pray  for  the  blefTings 
of  anew  d?.y '^  examine  wefl  your  cv/n  heart; 
meditate  upon  fomc  fpi ritual  fubjeft;:  and  laflly, 
plan  the  bufmefs  of  the  approaching  day.  Theu 
rife  at  four  o'clock,  but  never  later  than  five,  i 
Well.  While  you'  put  on  your  ctoaths,  praifc, 
or  pray,  mentally,  but  fuitably  to  your  ftate. 
Then  fpetid  another  half  hour  in  fecret  medUation^ 
praife,  and  prayer.  After  this  call  your  familr 
tbscether,  read  a  chapter,  and  as  Vou  have  ability 
nrfdleifure,.  expound  it  to  them.  Then  fing  a 
hymn,  and  ^conclude- with  ptayer.  Pray  always 
before  and  after  meat :  thus  take  the  curfe  from  off 
y  our  V I  £t  u  a  Is- ;  a  h  d  "b  li-  fs  '  God  f of '  f  h  e  l^  e  n  e  fi  t 
of  them-.  Begin,  proceed  in,  and  lay  by  work, 
thus.  Begin  with  that  which  fholild  never  ceafe, 
>)r^ayer  i'n  yoiir  rnind;'  while  you  are  at  your  wo'k^ 
meditaft,  praife,  or  pray,  'or  converfe  religioufly 
with  tHofe  about  you:  this  will  not  hinder,  but 
furthef  your  labour.  As  often  as  you  can,  retire  a 
few  minutes  to  prayer,  amine  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  three  in  the  afternoonV  It  would  be'wcfl 
fo  fpend  a  little  time- in  sprayer  with  your  family, 
immediately  after  dinner.  In  the  evening  ccnflantlv 
obferve  the  fame  order  of  devotion  in  your  family, 
as  in  the  morning.  At  going  to  bed,  revife  the 
tlmi'ghts,  words,  and  actions  of  the  paft  dav. 
V/hat  appears  amifs,  beg  pardon  for  :  what  is  well 
blefs  God  alone  for  ;  and  never  clofe  your  eyes  to 
deep,  with  any  unforgiven  fin  upon  your  confci- 
ence.  Are  you  trees  of  righteoufnefs ?  Let  the 
trees  b^  known  by  their  fruit. 

U  3  Never 


[      222      ] 

Never  negleft  lhis,or  ibme  fuch  method  of  walk- 
ing with  God.  Do  all  feelingly,  fervently,  and 
devoutly,  as  from  the  fpirit  of  God  in  you.  Cuf- 
tcm  will  make  it  familiar,  eafy,  and  plcafant  to 
you.  And  if  you  thus  fpend  every  week-day,  you 
will  no  doubt  keep  the  fabbath-day  holy.  You 
will  furely  attend  the  word,  the  Lord's  table,  and 
all  occaficnal  meetings.  All  this  will  help  you  to 
attain  to  tlie  meafure  of  the  flature,  of  perfect, 
men  in  Chi  ill.  Are  ye  trees  of  righteGufnefs  ?. 
Let  the  trees.be  known  by  their  fruit. 

In  a  word,,  diligently  ufe  every  means,  and  z% 
diligently  cxercife  every  meafure  of  grace.  Be  fer- 
vent in  fpirit,  ferving  the  Lord..  In  every  things, 
invariably  aim  at  his  glory,  out  of  a  pure  heart,, 
and  good  confcicBce,.  and  faith  unfeigned.  Are  ye 
trees  of  righteoufnefa?  Let  the  trees,  be  known  h-^ 
their  fruit. 

To  the  everjafling  praife  of  Qur  deai^  Jefus  be  it 
known  to  you,  that  his  work  of  gr^ce  profpcrs  in 
thefe  parts.  Our  congregatioas.,  are  generally 
large:  new  members  are  added  to  our  focieties, 
and  our  old  ones  go  on  in  full  affur^ance,  and  feme 
of  them  in  the  triumph  of  faith,  to  heaven.  Are 
'»ve  trees  of  righteoufnefs  ?.  May  we  have  our  fruit 
unto  holinefs,  and  the  end  everlafting  life.  Pra)[ 
or  me,  and  rii  pray  for  you,  wiio  am 

Your  afFe£tionat€  Brother^ 


L    E 


[       223       1 

LETTER         LXXXIX. 
My  dear  Father,  Dublin,  July  23,  1755. 

HO'  I  am  far  diftant  from  you  in  perfoa, 
yet  I  am  intimately  near  you  in  fpirit  and  affecftion. 

At  prefent  I  write  unto  you,  with  abundance 
of  tears  flowing  from  my  eyes,  proceeding  from 
the  fuUnefs  of  love  in  my  heart.  My  intent  in 
writing  unto  you,  is  not  to  procure  your  favour, 
that  I  know  you  give  me  out  of  paternal  aiFedlion 
and  a  fenfe  of  duty;  nor  for  your  fubflance  that 
I  do  not  want*,  but  my  byfinefs  with  you  is  far 
more  important ;  Ibefeechyou,  O  my  dear  Fa- 
t;her,  to  feek  the  one  th'ni^  needful.  To  lay  afide 
every  weight,  and  the  fin  (viz,  wordly  mtndednefs) 
which  does  mojfl:  eafily  bcfet  you :  And  to  ufe  all 
diligence  to  make  your  calling  and  election  iure. 
Renouncing  your  own  righteoufecfs,  'which  is  but 
as  filthy  rai^Sj  make  application  to  Chrift,  that 
you  may  be  interefted  in  his  blood,  and  righteouf- 
nefs.  Tis  by  taitkin.  his  blood  we  arc  juftified; 
^tis  by  faith  in  his  blood  we  are  fan6lified :  yea,  it 
i^  the  blood  of  Chrift  which  cleanferh  from  all  lln. 

Oh!,  that  I  could  but  impart  unto  you  fome  of 
the  (w'eetnefs,  and.  comfort,  -which  1  now  feel  in 
the  enjoyment  of  the  love  of  God.  Tho*  it  would 
be  hell  to  me,  to  return  unto  a  natural  unregene- 
rate  ftate  again ;  yet  1  would  willingly  part  with 
the  love  of  Godi  for  a  little  time,  that  you  might 
know  what  it  h  to  love  him,  and  to  have  Chrift 
formed  in  your  hear'  by  faith.  I  could  with  St. 
Paul,  wifh  myfelf,  (temporally)  accurfea  for  you 
and  the  reft  of  my  relations  according  to  the  fief>. 
But  though  I  cannot,  by  this  or  any  other  means 
J  rf\n  ufe,  meri:  thi?  bki!ing  for  you,  or  confer 

it 


[       224      ] 

it  upon  you;  yet  there  is.tlie  fume  unexhauftible 
fullnefs  of  mercy,  and  love  in  Chriftfor  you,  as  1 
uiid  many  mop:^  have  found.  If  you  turn  hear- 
tily unto  ])i  II,  you  will,  you  afTuredly  wHl  meet 
with  the  fame  welcome,  and  blrfled  treaaneiit 
that  others  have  done.  There  is  bah-n  in  pile^d: 
his- arm  is  Eot  fliortened,  thiit  it  eannpt  faye  jr  or 
his  car  grown  heavy  that  it  cannot  hear,  but'  lit 
has  the  fame  compaffionate  heart,  cordial"  love,.. 
and  exquifite  tendernefs  toward  returning  prodi- 
gals, and  felt  righteoufnefs  renoiuicin^  pLari^es,. 
as  he  had  feventeen  hundred  years  ago>  when  af- 
fectionately crying:  Cg;;;^  ufitg  nie  all\qilieti  labour 
and  are  hraijy  icden^mid  kyiJtlt gifife  yp,u  reji^2ir\di  iovr 
r  o  wf ul  1  y  com  pi  ai  q  i  ng,  ye  ■  ixi'tll  n  ot .  qo^nifi,  fA.fne.  ikot 
ye  might  have  iije..  '        /'.  "' ;  ^   '     '.' 

Yet  as  \  have  often  told  you,  wlitn' preleiSt,  u>> 
I  tell  you  now  I  am  abfer.t^  that  you  muft  com^e  unto 
Chrift  1  ere  on  earth,  in  the  way  of  repentancej. 
and  f^ithj    or  you  can  never  a^^end,  to- his  king- 
dom and  g^'<5ry  in  heaven,, 

Chrift  muil  come  down  into  our  hearts,  byhj^' 
fpjrir  5  or  we  can  never  arife  to  happincfs  in  e^ter- 
nity,  not  even  by  his  merit.  Our  hc<irts.  muft"  be- 
come his  throne  here,  if  ever  we  have  a  feat  im 
his  throne  hereafter..  Converted  \Ye  ,rnu,ft  b^j^  or 
be  condemned*  Changed  from  nature  to  grace, 
while  living,  or  change  our  place  from  earth,  to 
hell,  when  dead.  Without  renovation  in  lime^ 
no  reiurrection  to  eternal  happinefs  in  eternity. 
What  mu it  dogs  and  fwine  do  in  the  palace  pf 
the  king  of  heaven,  and  in  the  garden  of  paradife,. 
and  iuch  we  realty  are,  until  renewed  in  the  image 
of  God. 

\  know  you    are  an  honcfl   man  among  your 
neighbours,  and   a    loving  and  refpe^ful    father 
unto  your  children;  but  honefly  is  not  regenera- 
tion. 


[      225      1 

tion.  Though  you  are  civilized,  you  arc  not  fanc- 
tifieJ.  Do  not  take  it  ill.  1  hink  me  not  undu- 
tiful,  becaufe  faithful  unto  my  conference,  leaft  of 
all  think  me  unkind,  becaufe  I  tell  you  the  truth. 
Ye  muft  (notwithftanding)  be  born  again. 

Pray  attend  the  word  of  God  where  it  is  preach- 
ed in  t/ie  demonjiration  of  the  fpirit,  and  oj  poiver  j 
and  do  not  by  any  means  neglecSt  private  or  fami- 
ly prayer.  May  the  bleffing  of  God  attend  every 
means'  you  ufe,  and  make  them  fpirit  and  life  unto 
you :  ma;  he  give  you  grace,  with  peace  in  this 
world,  and  everlafting  happinefs  in  the  next,  is 
ihe  unfeigned  prayer,  of 

Your  dutiful  Son. 

LETTER        XC. 

Cork,   March  23,   17^5. 
My  very  dear,  and  loving  Father, 

OURS  I  received  with  thankfuhiefs.  I  might 
inform  you  how  much  1  efteem  you,  and  how 
great  pleafure  the  hearing  from  fo  kind,  and  in- 
dulgent a  parent  gives  ire  :  but  this  would  neither 
be  as  expreflive  of  my  true  affedion,  or  fo  ufeful 
and  beneficial  to  you,  as  to  watch  for  your  foul, 
and  pray  for  your  falvation.  I  am  thoroughly 
convinced  this  is  the  trueft  inftanee  of  rational 
and  exalted  kindnefs.  Every  claim  to  this  amia- 
ble character  is  quite  defe<£live  and  vain,  if  it  does 
not  extend  to  our  fpiriiual  interells,  and  our  eter- 
nal welf  \re. 

1  hope,  my  dear  Father,  you  do  not  negle<St 
ihe  one  thing  needful.  All  worldly  things,  tho*  of 
the  mofl  excellent  kinds^  are  but    like  the   molt 

aefpicabie 


r  226  ] 

defpicable  cIiafFj  %vhen  compared  with  the  bleflings 
Govl  beftows  upon  his  children  here,  and  the  in- 
eftimable  trealure  he  hath  hiid  up  for  th^m  here- 
after. Oh!  how  dark  and  gloomy  is  that  man  s 
jlate,  who  has  not  an  interell  in  our  dear  Re- 
deemer, tho'  he  may  fwim  in  the  river  of  fenfuaf 
pleafure,  baik  in  tiie  warmeft  beams  of  human 
honour,  and  have  the  Ipoils  of  k  ngdo'^.s  at  his 
ieet,  compared  to  his,  whofe  privilege  it  is  co- 
live  under  the  benign  influences  of  heaven,  in  the 
prorpe.51  of  glory,  and  in  divine  communion  with. 
His  God,  tho*  Cloathed  i-i  rags,  and  fituate  vndi 
Lazarus  upon   the  dunghill. 

1  have  delayed,  for  iome-  time,  to  write  unto 
you,  expecting  Mr.  W.  coming  to  this  place,  .in. 
order  that  I  niight  inform  you  when  and  how  I 
hope  to  CO.  e  into  England  j  btis^  his  irar\'ing  beeii. 
prevenred  in  his  intention  of  coming  nere,  has-: 
rendered  me  incapab' ;  of  giving  you  any  infor« 
maticyn,  notwithiland:  .L.  my  d;;iiy.    •        j^    " 

I  unfeignedly  thank  .<  ;d  !  a.nki  my  nfual  flatc 
of  health,  and  diipoaiioa  of  mind,  tho' neither- 
exempt  froi-Hbodii;  pains,  f'Ui  contiicts,  or  out- 
ward crofTjs,  yet  the  Lord  gives  me  frrengtn  ac- 
cord; ;)g  to  my  day  j  a  .d,  v/hich  is  not  a  lutle  to- 
rny  comrji:t,  i&  pieafeJj  la  lome  fmall  meafure,  to 
give.fuecefs  to  my  unworthy  kiboui's.  Some  iin- 
II eri  which  were  far  oiT,  arc  brought  nigh  to  .God 
by  the  blood  of  Chriftj  and  others  convinced  of 
tieii  diftance  trom  him,  and  has  an  earneft  dehre 
tp  return  unto  hira. 

1  need  not  tell  you,  that  1  think  often  of,  and 
delire  to  be  witnyou*,  but  while  this  cannot  be, 
GoJ.  will  give  me  conteiumem  :.  however,  may 
you,  and  ail  my  i^Utions  ana  friends,  live  under 
the  heavenly  i'ighr,  and  healing  wings  of  Jefus 
Chriil.     jNIay   you    have   brighter    and   brighter 

maniteftatiODi 


[     2i7     ] 

manitcftatlons  of  his  inimenfc  and  amIaMc  per- 
fcdtions  ;  and  may  you,  by  thefc  heavenly  views, 
grow  daily  in  his  huly  and  divine  image-,  tlicn 
your  happinefs  will  be  luch  as  is  wifhed  tor, 

Bv  \our  molt  obliged,  and  dutiful  ^on,  5cc 

L    E    T     T     E     Pv         XCI. 

My  dear  friend,  Jan.  ip,   1758. 


w 


IliV'T^  can  comfort  a  foul  that  is  painfully 
diitrefleil  for  Tvant  of  io-ve  ?  It  may  be  fome  allay 
to  one's  mifery,  to  think  that  others  love  that  God 
whom  we  would  love,  but  cannot.  What  can 
afflift  that  foul  which  is  free  from  every  creature, 
and  fixed  on  God  alone  r  One  can  fcarcely  thinlc 
that  any  could  be  fo  bafe,  v/ith  refpedt  to  God, 
and  wretched  with  regard  to  Inmlelf,  as  not  to 
love  him;  and  yet  this  wretchednefs  I  feel.  Wri- 
ting juft  now  on  my  own  condition,  preffes  it 
deeper  on  my  troubled  heart.  I  had  no  iooner 
come  to  this  conclufion,  {  do  not  love  the  Lord 
Jefus  Chrlll,  but  it  occurred  to  me,  yet  othets  do: 
here  I  found  a  pleating  {ktisfaftion.  I  then  blefl- 
ed  God  for  you,  and  others  of  my  friends,  wha» 
ofier  him  what  is  due. from  all,  biu  what  I  ftilt 
witlihold,   t/tL'  ioze  of  the  ix^hol^  keart. 

As  the  ftate  1  apprehend  your  foid  tq  be  m, 
affords  nie  matter  of  pi'aife,  and  adluaily  excites 
it  \  jfo  the  ftate  you  muft  judge  my  foul  to  be  ir>,^ 
from  the  account  I  have  given  of  it,  wil  aiford 
you  matter  of  prater,  and  Ihould  actually  excite 
it,  while  it  occasions  your  pity. 

I  formerly    threatened  you  with  letters,  know- 
ing, that  if  you  have  pntience,  it  was  not  given 


A 


[  228  3 

to  be  wrapped  up  in  a  napkin,  but  for  exercife: 
and  now  I  am  going  about  the  performance  of  it, 
I  may  tell  you  before  hand,  I  am  wretched,  and 
dcfire  your  prayers,  fhall  be  my  fubje£l:  the  va- 
rious parts  of  which,  I  fliall  unfold,  explain  and 
infift  on,  as  I  fee  occafion.  But  you  may  cxpeft 
I  fliall  do  this  in  different  humours;  you  muft 
look  for  nothing  of  unchangeablenefs  in  me,  till 
iny  worfl:,  my  oldeft  enemy,  felf,  expires. 

Perfedl  love,  unfpotted  charity  j  not  to  be  fub- 
je£b  to  any  inordinate  affedlions,  any  irregular 
defire  of  any  kind,  in  any  degree:  to  have  no 
one  affe£lion  of  the  foul  at  any  time  exercifed  on 
an  impioper  obje£t,  or  in  an  undue  manner  ;  to 
love  every  creature  in  a  due  fubordination  to  the 
love  of  God,  and  each  in  their  order,  according 
to  that  meafure  of  his  image  which  they  bear, 
and  the  relation  they  ftand  in  unto  him  ;  I  fay, 
thefe  are  things  fo  great  for  a  finner  to  attain  to, 
as  to  be  almoft  incredible.  Yet  if  you  can,  in 
cool  blood,  affirm  each  of  thefe  particulars  of 
yourfelf,  1  knov/  not  how  I  could,  confident 
w  t  that  charity,  which  hopeth,  and  bclieveth 
all  thfngs,  difbelieve  you 

Eiu  how  fliall  '  attain  them  ?  Methinksl  hear 
you  earneftly  exhort  me.  Caft  off:  prefs  on  ; 
f  ^  h;  :  wreftle,  and  be  ftill.  All  this  is  ever 
fcuiiding  ill  n^y  ears  ;  but  alas  !  I  lind  no  door 
of  hope.  1  lie  old  man,  if  not  the  ftrong  one, 
has  Itiil  poffeffion,  and  much  goods  aid  up  in 
ftore  lor  many  years.  >.o  f traits  can  expell 
him ;  for  however  clofely  he  may  be  befleged 
without,  he  hasprovilion  enough  to  fubfift  on 
within  :  and  he  can  refifl:  all  power,  but  omnipo- 
tence. It  ou  fay  there  needs  no  other.  Engage 
this  en  your  f  de,  and  you  fliall  be  more  than  a 
Conqueror*     How  ?      By   prayer.      1  do  pray ; 

but 


I    229     ] 

but  it  lecms  as  though  he  regarded  jt  not.  Join 
me  in  the  petition,  and  it  may  be  I  fhall  prevail. 
Thus  you  fee,  tis  proper  my  fubje<5l  fhould  be— i 
I  am  wretched,  pray  for  me. 

Still,  that  you  may  not  be  found  lefs  la  the 
fight  of   God,  than  your  greateft   friend   or  flat- 
terer,'whether  yourfelf  or  another,  either  fays  you 
are,  or  thinks  you  to  be,  is  the  ardent  prayer  of 
Your  friend  and  brother,  &c. 


LETTER        XCII. 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Hanby,    occafidned   by    the 
fudden   Death   of    feveral   near    Relations,    by 
.  Mr.  Thomas  Olivers. 


My  very  dear  Brother, 


A 


Few  days  ago,  I  was  informed  of  the  awfui 
.breach  which  divine  Providence  lately  made  in  your 
family  :  a  breach,  Vv^hich  loudly  deitiands  the  great- 
eft  pity,  and  fofteil:  fympathy  of  every  friend.-^ 
To  iofe  the  v/ife  of  your  youth, — or  your  firfl-born 
and  only  fen, — or,  even,  a  diftant  relation, — is 
doubtlefs,  a  heavy  trial ;  but  to  have  all  thrfe  taken 
'away,  and  that  by  a  fing'e  ftroke,  is  a  trial  of  the 
firfi  magnitude:  and  every  oneinfuch  circumftances 
muft  feel,  unlefs  he  be  pajl  feeling.  I  doubt 
not  h^t  you  feel  your  fhare.  Your  heart  is  young 
and  uuexperienced  in  fuch  fcenes  of  woe,  and 
therefore  they  fall  on  you  with  douhle  (veight.  O! 
it  is  well  you  .hav-  Omnipote-ce  to  fupnort  vou, 
or  you  wofild  (Iv^  bcnea  h/) :;  »o«d!  }OU  would 
fall  to  rife  no  mire , 

X  Til. 


[   ^30    ] 
The  cloud  of  this  difpenfation  may,  in  all  pro- 
bability,   be  fo  thick  at  prefent,    that  you  cannot 
fee  the  hand  which  diieded  it.      But  it  fiiall  foon 
become  trajij parent ;    and  then  you  fhall  fee   the 
hand,  jind  heart  of  your  beji  Father;  and  acknow- 
ledge,   it  was  unmixed  goodnefs,    which    intended 
the  ftroke,  and  unerring  wifdcm,  v]\\\c\idir?^€dit 
fo  near  your  heart.     Till  this  appears,    be  flUnt ; 
and  when  it  does,  you  poall -adore.     You  have  often 
recommended  to  others.    Not  to  forrow  as  thofe 
'who  have  no  hope.      Let  me  recomrr-cnd  the  fame 
to  you.     Let  thofe  tears  v4iich  evidence  your  ten- 
der affection  for  your  late  friend,  equally  evidence 
your  fubmiflion  to  your  divine  Father.      Tou  hav* 
heard  of  the  patience  of  ^ oh,     With  v/hat  deep  re- 
verence I  with  what  unfeigned  fubje8ion!    did  he 
receive  the  repeated  tidings  of  his  complicated  C2\-\- 
mities!   The  Lord  gave^  (aid  he,  and  the  Lord  hath 
taken  avjay^    and  blejfed  he   the  name  oj   the  Lord, 
And  when  he  was  llrongly  folicited  to  murmur  at 
the  difpenfation,  and  blafphcme  its  Author,  he  re- 
jected it  with  abhorrence;  -IVhat!  faid  he,  fjall  I 
receive  good  at  the  hand  of  God,    and  floall  J  not  re- 
ceive evil^    It  is  then  added,  to  his  immortal  ho- 
nour, In  all  this  J  oh  finned  Mt,     May  God  fay  the 
fame  of  you!  "  I  took  away  a  diftant  relation, — 
and  in  this  he  fmned  not.      I  took  away   his  fon^ 
his  only  fon — and   in  this   he  finned  not.     I  then 
tore  from  his  bleeding  heart,    a  tender  wife,  lately 
entwined  about  it — and  in  this  he  finned  not.   The 
Jirft  meffenger  of  heavy  tidings  was  fcarce  arrived, 
when  io!   a  fecond  followed  ;    and  ere  he  had  deli- 
vered his  more  awful  mcffage,  beheld  !   a  third  trod 
upon   his  heels — and  in   all  this  he   fnned  not." 
May  you  thus  have  a  teftimony   that  you  pleafe 
God,  and  it  fhall  turn  to  your  honour  before  a f- 
fembled  worlds ! 

It 


[     231      ] 

If  you  have  been  a  means  of  helping  your  friend 
to  conquer  the  difficuhies  of  life  and  death,  Ihe  is 
now  blefpng  the  day  llic  became  yours.  And  I  hope 
you  were — and  that  fhc,  and  her  new  born  fon,- 
are  now  two  Ihining  forms  before  the  throne,  re- 
joicing in  the  prefence  of  the  Lamb.  May  }  ou 
follow  them  to  your  Father's  country  ! — May  you 
weather  out  every  dorm,  which  fliall  rife  againf!: 
you  on  the  ocean  of  time! — and  when  tlie  voyage 
of  hfe  is  over,  they  lliall  meet  and  hail  you  on  the 
tejefiia!  /Irand,  and  bid  you  ten  thoufand  welcomes 
to- their  blefTed  abodes :— and  it  may  be,,  a^ hen  the 
all-bountiful  Redeemer,  all-righteous  Judge,  fhall 
alUgn  you  your  reward,  that  they  will  be  officious 
in  arriiying  you  in  the  garments  of  light ;  and  in 
adorning  your  head  with  an  immortal  wreath  ;  and 
\n  putting  the  emblem  of  vi6lory,  and  a  golden 
harp  into  your  hand. —  O  that  I  was  mafler  of  the 
language  of  immortality  !  O  that  I  could  fpec  k 
hke  the  difembodied!  how  loudly  would  I  call  on 
you!  how  poiverfully  would  \  perfuade  ycu,  to 
ghgv  !  to  burn  f  with  ardent  defjre  \  vixlh  hoiy  af-- 
Je^ions  ;  Vf\{\\  flaming  zeal — for:  that  better  'world/ 
for  that  better  company!  far.  that  better  enjo^-- 
ment,. 

Imagine,  for  a  few  moments,  that  your  late- 
companion  is  perm-tted  to,  do  this,  and  that  you. 
hear  her  addre-fling  you   in  the   following  manner. 

"  O  thou  blefl'ed  among  mortals !-  who  vv^fl:, 
for  a  few  fliort-liv(id  rocments,  my*deareft  friend 
on  earth — thou  fijidjsft  by  jad,  but  1  by  jcyful  ex- 
perience, that  thcs  fweetell  earthly  enjoyment  is 
foon  over.  TKou^feefl-  as  through  a  glafs  darkly, 
but  I  with  the  lull  blaze  of  ete  rrral  d^y,  that  all  on 
earth  which  -it^oTXiih  qzW  good  ami  ^r  eat ,  isonK  empti- 
nefs,  vanity^,  and  difappointmen'.  We,  the  in- 
habitants <^fuiidouGfd  day,  .look  down  from  our 
X  2  exalted 


[  232  ] 
exalted  fummlts,  and  behold  your  ivcrld  and  all 
its  glcry^  only  as  a  fpeck  of  darknrfs,  encompa[fc(l 
by  an  hfmlte  Qcecm  of  light—  Wt  fee  how  clojeh 
eternity  befets  you  en  every  /tde  ;  while  you,  like 
niiliions  of  intelligent  atoms,  croud  each  other 
wli'hjn  your  little  fphere  ;  thoufands  of  which  are 
daily  hovering  on  the  ver^e,  while  other  thoufands 
are  pafJJng  over  /  —We  Hkewife  fee,  with  eyes  of 
pity,  how  eagerly  you  toil  amidft  darkneff,fnaref, 
and  deaths,  and  all  for  the  trifles  of  a  moment, 
while  ftiGTjiitY,  greedy  etern'ity  !  not  fatisfied  with 
the  flaughter  of  fix  thoufand  years,  Hi!!  waits,  with 
its  wide  extended  jaws,  to  fwallow  up  allfucceeding 
generations  /— O  !  how  dee*  all  heaven  piry  your 
folly,  m  Jlii^htinr,  the  awful  concerns  of  eternity  ; 
and  in  defpifing  the  infinite  fource  of  all  blefTed- 
nefs  ;  only  for  the  bubbles  zr)(^  Jhadows  of  a  dif- 
ordered  vjorld- 

But^  with  ineffable  pleafure,  we  behold  the 
happy  few,  wKr  have  declared  eternal  war  with 
the  prince  of  darknefs ;  who  defpife  the  empty 
enjoyments  of  a  vain  world  ;  who  rife  fuperior 
to  their  own  degeneracy,  and  feek  their  all  in 
God.— -Such  are  efteemed  by  ycu,  O  ye  blind- 
mortals !  as  the  filth  and  ofF-fcouring  of  your  world; 
but  wc,  through  all  our  different  orders,  efteem 
t;hem  as  fome  of  the  brightrjl  ornament's  of  ours. 
You  long  to  drive  them  from  earth ;  but  we,  to 
receive  them  into  heaven.  And  when  he  who 
bought  them  with  his  blood,  fhall  fign  their 
happy  difmiffion  ;  a  detachment  of  celeflial 
meflengers,  a  convoy  of  flaming  guards,  fhalT 
fafely  guide  them  through  death,  and  fwiftly  con- 
duct them  home.  Then,  then  ihall  the  living 
doors  fpontaneoufly  fly  open  to  admit  them— 
and  all  the  tongues,  and  eyes;  and  hearts  of  heaven, 
fliall  bid  them  a  thoufand   w elc cm cs-.n- while  the 

mighty 


fa'tghty  concaye,  made  vocal  by  the  univerfal  ac« 
clamations,  reverberates  the  ^  found. — Till  then, 
their  lot  is  to  iabour  i^ndfuffer  ^  to  obey  God,  to 
re/tjl  the  devil,  to  renounce  the  world,  to  crucify 
Ihemfelves.  O !  with  what  foft  regard,  tendet 
pity  and  deep  compafTion,  do  we  behold  their  toil, 
their  difficulties,  their  enemies,  their  dangers! 
yea,  how  do  we  almoft  tremble,  to  fee  their  ever- 
hiking fate  To  often  weighed  in  a  doubtful  balance' 
but  all  the  mighty  powers,  of  heaven  rejoice,  and 
through  all  their  countlefs  myriads,  bow  in  grate- 
ful homage,  to  that  exalted  Name.yr\iKh  prepon- 
derates the  fcale.  . 

**  But,  O  thou!  th^  late  partner  of  my  weal 
and  woe,  whofefriendfhip  followed  me  through 
life,  through  death,  and  ftill  follows  me  beyond 
the  grave ;  wh^t  foods  /  what  oceans  of  imrnor- 
tal  pleafure  !  fills.!  over  flows  and  deluges  my  difem*  - 
bodied  capacity  on  thy  account!  O  how  t  exult  / 
and  triumph,  on  feeing  thy  face  towards  Zion  f 
with  what  inconceivable  extacy  do  I  behold  thee 
labouring  up  the  (kies,  .and  beckoning  to  iliy  fel- 
lows, to  follow  after  !  Joy— extacy-— tranfport— 
glory— /Vr^^y^,-— and  wider  I— -^nd  fill  'wider  tx^ 
pfnd  my  happy  foi fit,  on  every  profpe^l  of  thy 
arrival  to-  this  happy  world!  It  exalts  my  moft 
exalted  joys; — it  heightens  my  highefl  praife,  to 
think  that  my  dearefl:' earthly  friend  fhall  foonfhine 
brighter  than  ten  thoufand  funs  ;  and  that  ere  long 
we  fhall  fit,  down  together,  at  ImmanuePs'feet,  to 
recount  the  dangers  we  have  efeaped  on  earth,  and  ; 
to  repeat  thfe  (lory  of  redeeming  love,  , 

**  Till  then,  go  on  in  the  name  of  thy  great 
Maftdr.  Let  nothing  on  earth  obflru^  ^h  P^ff^g^y 
or  retard  thy  motion,  towards  a  blifsful  immortality.. 
Let  thy  eye  b^  ever  fixt  on  that  facred  ray  which 
proceeds  from  -the  throne. of  God,  and  which,  in  . 
X\3  great : 


t    234    ]     . 

great  mercy,  glimmers  through  the  fkie?.  Lctr^ 
direQ:  thy  fteps  through  all  the  darknefs  and  dan- 
gers of  time,  and  point  out  thy  way  to  this  world 
of  glorious  light ;  and  when  thou  arriveft,  whole 
floods  of  endlefs  day  fhall  be  poured  on  thy  afto- 
nifhed  fight.  Let  thy  ears  be  always  open  to  the 
■(acred  calls  of  thy  divine  Mafler,  and  let  them  con- 
tinualy  attend  to  the  humble  complaints  of  his  af- 
fli6led  fervants ;  and  in  a  fhort  time  thy  enraptured 
foul  fhall  be  filled  with  the  founds  of  thefe  mighty, 
thefe  thundering  hallelujahs,  which  burfl  for  ever 
around  the  tremendous  throne.  JLct  thy  tongue, 
row  feeble  and  fauitering,  and  which  fhall  foon  be 
filent  in  the  grave,  publifh  abroad  xhvough  all  the 
earth,  the  Love  which  aftonifhes  all  heaven.  Pub- 
hfh,.  O  publifh  !  its  exalted  heights,  its  profound 
depth;  its  immeafurable  length  and  breadth!— 
Tell  the  rebellious  fors  of  earth,  of  immenftty  con- 
traded  to  a  fpan  ! — Tell  them  of  Infinity- ciuihtd 
beneath  their  load! — Tell  them  oi  Immortality  dy- 
ing in  their  (lead  ! — Employ  in  this  fervice,  thy 
bejl  Jlraini,  and  thy  loudejl  accents  ;  and,  in  a  fhort 
time,  thou  fhalt  have  a  tongue  of  celeftial  fire,  and 
a  voice  which  (hall  reach  the  moft  exalted  of  all 
our  radiant  orbs.— Let  thy  'vuhole  Joul ;  thy  'whole 
firength;  thy  ivhoie  time -^  be  employed  for  Him , 
who  lived!  who  bled/  who  dyed  for  thee!  O!  be 
aftive  as  fire  ;  be  humble  as  the  dufl: ;  be  ferious 
as  death ;  be  folemn  as  the  grave  ;  Let  thy  faith 
be  like  Abraham^  \  thy  meeknefs  like  Mofesh  j  thy 
patience  like  Jo^'s;  thy  prayer  like  Elijah'^ -^  thy 


thy  joy 

-vhat  rifing  joy  ! — what  /welling  pleafure !    what 
Ireaming,    fhining!   flaming  glory  fills  this  place ! 
—How  mighty !    how  huge  is  the  reward  of  hea- 
ven! 


C    235    1 

ven !— ^//   is  hJinite—AW   is   eternal— Ajid  all  is 
mine! — Adieu."     And  now,  as  flie  returns,    ima- 
gine you  hear    ihe    lejj'ening   fciindj;,   "  HALLI/ 
LUJAH—HaiLelu  J  AH— Hallelujah." 

Thus  ^i\Q  being  dead,,  yet  rpeaketh-  ATcy  the 
important  admonition  have  its  due  effefi:  on  3  our 
mind!  May  the  found  of  it  enter  your  very  foul, 
and  follow  you  wherever  you  go:  fo  fliall  your 
abundant  lofs  become  your  more  abundant  gain  I 

7  he  advantages  intended  you  by  tliis  viiitatiofl, 
are,  firfl:,  to  convince  you,  more  deeply,  of  the 
mutability  of  all  earthly  comforts.  Through  the 
medium  of  this  difpenfation,  you  fee  more 
clearly  how  flu6tuating  thefe  things  are,  and  how 
little  they  are  to  be  depended  on.  Ycu  fee  that 
riches,  honours,  friends,  health  and  h'fe,  may  be 
at  our  command  this  hour;  and  in  the  next, make 
themfelves  wings  and  fly  away.  With  what  clear- 
nefs  do  you  now  behold  that  all  flelh  is  grafs, 
and  the  glory  of  man  as  thejiower  of  the  grafs  fSS/'  xth. 
what  advantage  do  you  now  read  that  the  fi.p^ion 
«f  this  world  paffeth  away :  pafleth  away,  even, 
while  we  are  beholding  it;  and  that  with  yi/ri 
fpeed,  that  ere  we  have  a  full  view,  it  is  out  of 
our  fight.  Happy  are  they  who  have  a  divine  con- 
fdence  that  an  unchangeable  God  is  their  Father  \ 
and  who  have  a  lively  hope  of  an  inheritance  incor- 
ruptible,  and  und'' filed,' and  that fadeth  not  away! 
May  that  confidence  and  hope  increafe  in  you  daily, 
and  be  preferved  ftedfaft  unto  the  end  ! 

A  fecond  advantage  intended,  is,  that  you  may- 
fit  more  loofc  to  the  world  and  its  enjoyments. 
Wretched  as  thefe  enjoyments  are,  there  is  fome- 
thing  in  them  fo  peculiarly  enfnaring,  that  it  is 
alrnofi:  impofllble  to  poffefs  them  and  not  be  de- 
ftroyed  :  and  it  is  much  to  be  feared,  that  thou- 
fands,   who  have  p^vercome  every  other  difficulty, 

V  wilj. 


[    236    I 

vi]>^  after  all,    Ic  dafhed   in  pieces  on  this  roek* 
]jiu  this  is  not  tcr  want  of  caution  :  the  facred  ad-, 
monitions  are  for  ever  founding  in  our  ears;  Be,  ^.4,^ 
^orfcrmed  to  this  world -^  Set  your  affe^ions  on  things 
ahrjr^^s^  and  not  en  things  on  earth  'f.  Lo'vs  yiot  th^e  ttjorldy 
nor   the  things  of  the  world -^    Little  ehijdren  ke.ep 
your/elves  from  idols »     Now,  if  after  nfl.iliere  fa^ 
therly  infl:ru^:ions,    and  kind   commandsj    we  ftirt 
incline  to  wander,    the  bleffed  G'/)d  will'hedge  up 
our  way  withhrierSj    if  we  break  through  thefe, 
he  will  in  mercy,    conceal  fome  thorn  untfer  our 
favourite   flower,,  or  mix  our  fwieet  delight  with 
gall.      If  this  proves  inefFedual,  and  the  little  im- 
pertinences oj   earth  ftill  cleave  to  us,    even,  like 
the    flefh    to    the    bone;     in  this  cafe,    God   is 
obliged  to  put  us  to  more  pain,  and  (in  order  to  pre- 
vent our  eternal  ruin)  to  fave  us  hj  fuch  means  a& 
are  like  tearing  the  fieflo  fmn  the  hones.     O  what  a  , 
privilege  is  j^wr/  v//   prefent.     Your  mofl  gracious 
Father  is  now  telling  yau,  that  you  mufl  be  all  his 
own  ;  that  he  ivili  have  all  your  heart  j ,  that  yoii 

(halt  ht  fully  blefTed. And  ralher  than, the  world 

or  ffn  or  fatan  fhould  deflroy^    or  hurt,    or    eVeu 

touch  you  to  your  Jifadvantage,  that  he  will  inter- . 

pofe  with  all  his  wifdom,  and  power,  nntl  mercy, 

and  truth;,  and  that  nothing,  but  the  m\)fl  wilful: 

obftinacy,    ihall   be  able  to  harra  you.      O  what 

n:h  mercy  and  aftonifhing  goodnefs  is  this  1    and 

how  unutterably  great  is  your  privilege!    May  it 

teach  you  to  praife  and   adore  its  divine  Author, 

with  the  moft  pure  and  warm  afFe6tion  !    May  it 

teach  you  to  watch  with  the  ftrideft  attention  over 

your  heart ;  and  to  keep  at  the  utmoft  diilance  from 

the  defire  of  the  ftefli,  the  defire  of  the  eye,    and 

the  pride  of  life  I'    And  may  it  teach  you  to  look 

on  yourfelf  only  as  a  ftrangcr  and  fojourner  on 

earth ; 


[    237     ] 
earth;    only  as  a  poor  pilgrim,    who  Is  traveHing 
through  a  vale  of  tears,  In  fearch  of  a  better  coun- 
try ;'  who  is  iwging  his  way  to  eternal  life,  through 
the  valley  of  the  Hiadow  of  death! 

A  third  advantage  inltnded,  is,   to  quicken  you 
in  your  way ;   to  caufe  you  to  mend  ydtir  pace  and 
double  )our  diligence.     We  all  have  conftant  need 
of  this.     Our  work  is  Jo  important,  and  our  ftrcngth 
fo  little  \  and  cur  time  fo  Ihort,  that  we  ought  to 
be  broad n-'ji'ake,  and  all  alive  and  on  fuUJJretch  con- 
tinually. I'lit  this  is  not  pleafi-'g^to  flefh  and  blood  ; 
not  agreeable  to  our  wretched   hearts:    thefe  love 
to  be  at  reil:  and  quiet,    and  ever  incline  us  to  fall 
afleep.     To  prevent  thi?,  We  have  need  of  all  the 
grace  of  Cod,    and  of  the  afTiftance  of  all  his  dif- 
penfatioiis,     Affli6lion  (your  prcf^nt  difpenfatlon) 
is  of  fmguiar  ufe  m  this  cafe;    bccaufe,    thereby^ 
the  foul  is  purged  of  that  groffnefs  which  occafiions 
its  dulnefs  and  flupidity.'     Hence  we  often  find^ 
that  perfdns   in  affliclion  are   zealous  and  ai^ive^' 
who,  at  other  times,  arc  co!d  and  negli^enf.     With" 
what  fervency  do  they  then  call  upon  God  ?  With 
what  fteadinefs  watch  over  their  own  hearts  ?  With 
what  impartiality  examine  themfelves  ?   With  what 
indignation  vow  againft  fin  ?    With  what  holy  re- 
folutlon   devote   themfelves   to  God  ?    And  with 
what  detp  humility,  ferioufnefs    and  circumfpec- 
tion  walk  before  him  ? 

How  often  have  you  defired  God  to  hefp*you, 
t^uf  to  double  your  diligence?  Hew  often  have 
you  be^i^ed,  \tith  flrong  crying  and  tears,  that  he 
would  do  it  by  ^^«)>  meuns,  fo  it  mit^ht  be  done 
cffe6lually. 

And  behold!  he  is  now  anfwering  ycrr  prayer: 
he  is  now  granting  the  requcfl-  of  ycur  lips  ar;d  ihe 
defire  of  vour  heart.      May  the  m^an?  by  vhitli 

his 


[    438    j 

his  infinite  and  adorable  wifdom  is  promoting  this 
defirable  end,  promote  it  more  abundantly  day  by 
day!  May  you  continually  increafe  in  zeal  for  the 
glory  of  God,  and  in  pity  for  a  dying  world !  May 
}ou  fee,  in  the  cleareft  light,  what  numberlefs 
icenes  of  mifery  !  what  univerlal  ruin  and  deftruc- 
tioji,  covers  the  wjiole  earth  I  And  may  you  fee 
how  the  common  enemy  lieth  in  wait  for  unwary 
fouls;  how  he  firft  captivates;  then  blindfolds 
them  ;  then  drags  them  in  his  curfed  chain  to  cter* 
nal  death;  and  then  triumphs  over  hir  prey,  and 
infuits  fhe  throne  of  God  t  May  holy  indignation 
againd  this  enemy  of  God,  this  devourer  of  hu- 
man-kind, fet  you  all  on  fire  !  And  may  the  deep- 
cil  compaffion,  and  the  mod  generous  ccicern  for 
your  fellow  fufFerers,  foften  and  melt  and  enlarge 
your  foul !  And  may  thi.f  caufe  you  to  found  the 
name  of  Jesus,  and  publifh  his  great  Salvati- 
on, with  all  your  might  !  O  may  you  fly  with 
the  facred  TIDINGS,  to  the  eall  and  to  the  weff> 
to  the  north  and  to  the  fouth-!  And  may  you 
eftecm  it  your  higheft  honour,  an<;l  make  it  your 
chief  concern,  to  be  inflrumental  in  plucking  dy- 
ing fouls  out  of  the  jawsof  dcflruftion  ;  to  be  in - 
ftrumenta!  in  turning  them  from  darknefs  unto  light^ 
and  from  the  pozver  of  fat  an  to  the  living  God, that  they 
may  receive  the  foroivenefs  of  fms,  and  an  inherit 
tance  among  them  that  are  fanSiificd  by  Faith  which 
is  in  yefus. 

That  you  may  thus  zQ:  your  part  on  earth  ;  and 
quit  the  flage  of  life  with  honour  ;  and  rejoice  in 
the  day  of  accounts  ;  and  be  for  ever  with  them 
whom  your  foul  lovcth,  is  the  fincete  and  fervent 
pray^  of  your  fympathizing 

Friend  and  Brother, 

Aug.  19,  1766.  '^^»  ^-^ 


t  239  ] 

LETTER      XCIII. 

My  much  rcfpecbed  Friend,  Feb.  29,1 760. 

/\   Deep  fj-ife  of  my  own  inability,  and  your 
great  fuperiority  to    nriK,  almoft   in  every   thing, 
has,  till  now,  forbid    my  writing   unto    you.     I 
can  lincerely  rank  myfelf  among  them  who  have 
reafon   to   blels    God    for   your  coming  inco  this 
country.     If  I  ever  Ihill  again  be  favoured  with 
your  company  and  converfarion.  you  will,  I  trult, 
have  lefs  reafon  to  chide  me  for  thofe  things,  yp^j 
{q  many  times  judged  reprcveablc  in  me.     You 
had  not  been  gone  above  two  days,  bt^Fore  I  was 
convinced  of  fevcral  things,  which  1  ingennoufly 
acknow  edge  did  not  before  appear  amiis.    What- 
ever I  have  been,.!  am  not  an  Antinomian   n_>\v. 
I  never  was  more  fenfible  of  my  dependanct;  upon 
God,  for  all  things.     I  think  it  my  indlipeniible 
duty  to  alk,  at  his -beneficent  hands,  th-j  minutcfi: 
bleliing  my  neceflity  calls  for.     I  am,  as  you  once 
juftly  obftrved,  but  a  child  in.hqlineis  ;   but  I  can 
tru'y  fay,  i  dsllre  and   dcfign,  to  be  an  obedient 
one.     When  I  know  my  Father's  will,  i  immedi- 
ately apply  myfe'f  to  the  doing,  or  raifcring  of  it 
with  all  that  power  he  g  ves   me.     Jiijy  happintfs, 
diftindl  from  every  other   confidetsplpn,  conii'cs 
in  doing  his  blefled  will.     You  ma)'^Vemembei  »o 
have  told  me,  I  fhould  meet  with  many  ti'ials.  .liis 
has  indeed  been  exa£liy  true.     My  experie''  •    :  .s 
been   fomething  extraordinary ;  but  let  u;-.    >.    h 
gratitude    acknowledge,  my    Itrength    has    bcm 
e^Lial  to  my  evciy  d^y-  I  find  an  increafe  of  eve- 
ry thing  which  is  true,  juil,  virtuous,  comircnd- 

abie. 


[       240       ] 

able,  and  of  good  report.  This  I  fpeak  to  tlie 
praife  of  God.  Of  how  great  things  is  the  human 
mind  capable.  I  did  not  think  once,  that  my  fa- 
cukies  could  have  been  raifed  thus,  from  the 
ruins  of  the  fall.  My  defires  and  averflons  are,  I 
trull,  turned  toward  their  right  and  proper  ob- 
jects. The  Lord  makes  thofe  difcoveries  to  my 
underflanding,  which  draw  my  afFe(ftions  to  things 
above.  My  very  body  is  a  temple  of  the  Holv* 
Ghoft,  and  is  employed  in  the  fervice  of  God. 
Help  me  niy  dear  fncnd,  to  praife  God  for  thcfc 
ineftimable  mercies.  Pray  excufe  whatever  you 
fee  amifs  in  this.  I  promife  myfelf  great  fatisfac- 
tion,  when  J  Ihall  have  the  happinefs  of  being  a 
fpc<Stator  oi  their  improvement  at  L— ds.  Give 
mv  Kind  love  to  all  friends,  accept  the  fame  your- 
felf, 

From  your  ever  loving, 

and  faithful  friend,  &c.  &c. 


LETTER        XCIV. 

My  dear,  and  much  refpeiSted  Father, 

St.  Auftle,  May  6,  1758.' 


T. 


HE  reafon  of  my  filence  fo  long,  is  from 
my  expectation  of  hearing  from  you,  in  anfwer 
to  my  laft.  Since  1  wrote  laft,  I  have  en'oyed  as 
good  a  ftate  of  Ivalth,  as  I  have  ufually  had  n 
time  pail: ;  for  which  I  unfeignedly  pr;.ife  .God. 
who  is  the  giver  of  this,  arid  every  other  blefling. 
I  have  been  in  fome  danger  lately,  of  fain^g  into 
the  hands  of  unreafonable  and  finful  men,  but 
the  Lord  hath  reftrained  their  power,  and  kept 


me 


[  HI  ] 

me  from  their  maKce.  Some  cf  the  gentlemen  <rf 
this  country  are  very  much  averfe  to  the  way, 
which  they  are  pleafed  to  call  herefy,  ^n  vjh'ch  we 
ivorfljip  the  God  of  our  Fnth^m,  And  this  is  not 
to  be  wondered  at,  for  as  it  was  in  th«  beginning, 
lb  it  fs  now,  ihoie  who  are  born  after  the  flefti, 
peifecute  them  who  arc  born  after  the  fpirit.  But 
when  almighty  God  isdifpofed  to  work  his  great 
works  among  finners,  impotent  men,  tho'  ever  fo 
combined  together,  c?.nnot  prevent  it.  The  Lord 
is  making  known  his  falvation,  which  is  through 
faith,  unto  the  people:  where  his  name  is  record- 
ed, tho'  by  very  imperfect  ambaiTadors,  yet  his 
powerful  grace  is  difplayed.  Mm  are  enquiring 
the  vjay  to  Zion,  lAj'ith  their  faces  thithervjard^  vjeep'- 

I  cannot,,  once  again^  help  cxprefllng  my  con- 
cern for  your  falvation.  I  make  this  the  fubjedt 
of  my  prayers;  and  fhall  it  not  have  a  place  in  my 
Letters  ?  O  my  dear  Father,  do  not  flight,  or  ne- 
gle£V  that  which  our  Lord  calls,  the  one  thing  need- 
ful\  without  the  enjoyment  of  this,  we  can  nei- 
ther be  happy  in  time,  or  in  eternity.  I  often 
think,  with  wifhful  concern,  of  your  declining 
age,  and  diminifhing  flrength.  Your  days  on 
carth>  even  in  the  courfe  of  x^ature^  cannot  be 
many.  The  weaknefs  of  your  vital  powers,  the 
infirmities  which  attend  you,  and  the  inflances 
of  mortalitv  which  furround  you,  call  loudly  unto 
you  to  confider,  and  pi-epare  for  your  latter  end. 
There  is  no  way  of  facing  death  with  courage, 
and  lookmg  undaunted  on  the  tomb  into  which  we 
ace  going;  no  afTurance  of  happinefs  in  yonder 
world  of  fpirits,  but  by  an  affured  intereft  in  the 
holy  life,  and  propitiatory  death,  in  the  glorious 
lefurrtClicn,  and  prevalent  mtcrcefTion  of  our  ado- 
rable Redeemer.  As  I  have  often  told  you  in 
Y  times 

if 


[      142      ] 
t  mes  pafl,   fo  I  tell  you  again,  that  the  o^Jv  w?.y 
of  obtaining  falvation  through  Chrift,    is  by  faith.  ^ 
In  order  to  this,  earneftly  befeech  the  God  of  all 
grace,    to  give  you  a  true  and  deep  fenfe  of  the 
depravity  of  your  nature,    the  exceeding  finfulnefs 
of  fin,   and  your  utter  guiltinefs  in  confequence  of 
it.       Pray  that  you  .may  be  enabled  to   renounce 
your  dependance   upon   your   own  righteoufnefs. 
Let   the  fpirit  of  God  convince  you  of  the   entire 
necedity  of  helufr  born  again  of  the  Holy  Ghoft. 
In  this  difpofition  come  "unto  God,    in  the  name 
ofChnff;    ^elus,    that  you  may,    with  Chrift,    re- 
ceive pardon   of  fill  your  fins,    peace  with   God, 
adoption  into  his  family,    fandifying  grace,    and  : 
everlafting  glory.     And  remember  for  your  encoii- 
ragement,    that  you   are  invited.     Hs  /    everyone 
tfiat  thirlleth,  come  ye  to  the  waters,  Szc.      Calf  to 
niird  what  our  Saviour  faith:    Come  unto  me  all  ye 
that  labour y  and  are  heavy  laden y  and  I  ivi  11  give  you 
reft.     Do  you  labour  againft  fm  ?   Are  yob  burden- 
ed with  the  guilt  of  it  ?    Chrift   bids   you  ccme  ! 
Chrifr,  the  mighty  God,    the   everlafting  Father, 
the  Prince  of  peace,  bids  you  come.     What  pow- 
er can  prevent  your  accefs  unto  him  ?    Chrifl,  the 
ocean  of  love  and  mercy,  b.ds  you  come  :    here  all 
your  fms,  however  many,  or  mighty,  are  fwallow- 
ed  up.     That  he  is  willing  you  fhould  come  unto 
him  ;  witnefs  thofe  bitter  paias  and  fufferings  which 
he  endured,  and  that  precious  blood  which  he  Ihed 
for  your  fake.     Nay,  you  have  the  infallible  teft:- 
mony  from  his  own  mouth  :      And  him  that  cometh 
vnto  mcy   I  luill  in  no-voife  caft  out.      Hafte,  then  ; 
O  hafte  untothe  Saviour  of  finners!   F'y,  fly  unto 
the  Son  of  God  !    Dcflru^tion  purfues  you  while 
'vlthout ;    fafety  is  within  the  city  of  refuge.     The 
Lord  make  you  iuillin<^  in  tl^e  day  of  his  power.      May 
'■-^MX  heart  become  his  rtfidence,  and  mayh"s  me- 

>  .  ''' 


[    245    1 
fit  be  your  pafTport  into  eternal  glcry.     This  is  tht 
prayer  of 

your  dutiful  Son,  &c,  c^c. 

LETTER        XCV. 


I 


My  very  dear  Father,  Dec.  30,   1756. 


T  gives  me  no  fmall  pleafure  to  h^ar  fr^m  any 
of  my  friends;  but  gratitude  and  duty  bind  me 
to  love,,  and  value  you  moft,  from  whom  I  have 
proceeded.  I  earnefily  care  for) cur  prefcnt,  and 
eternal  welfare.  If  I  knew  how  to  do  you  good, 
it  rtiould  not  be  undone.  But  if  God  has  given  me 
a  concern  for  your  falvation,  aijd  a  pity  to  your 
foul,  how  much  more  cempaflion  hath-  he  towards 
you,  "ju^o /pared  not  his  Givn  Sbriy  but  deH'V€re{i  him 
up  for  us  all :  hoiv  then  ivill  he  not  tvith  him  freely 
give  us  all  things  ?  Greater  ^ve  hath  no  man^  than 
that  a  man  lay  down  his  life  J  or  his  jr  lends  ;  but  God 
commended  his  love  unto  us,  that  ivhile  we  were  yet 
Jtnnersj  yea  enemies,  Chrifl  died  for  us.  Fly  i 
then  ;  O  fly,  my  dear  fatluT,  and  fly  J  O  my  foul ! 
to  the  precious,  precious  blood  of  Jefus,  that  he 
may  be  made  ours  by  faith.  That  his  righteouf- 
nefs  "may  cover  us,  his  grace  enlighten  us,  his 
power  defend  us,  his  goodnefs  comfort  us,  hismfr- 
cies  embrace  us,  his  fpirit  fcindify  us,  and  his 
kingdom  entertain  us  for  ever  What  ihoufd  ri- 
vert  our  minds  from  fo  glorious  a  purAjit  ?  Blefled 
are  thev  who  are  in  the  heavenly  chafe.-  Ch  !  now 
make  hafle.to  the  Canaan  of  happineTs.  Fear  riot 
to  find  out  the  much-negle£led  path ;  though  it 
lieth  through  a  lonely  wildernefs,  the  Lord  v/ill  be 
a  pillar  of  a  cloud   by  day,    and  of  fire  by  night. 

He 


H-^  will  giiTcle  VQU  if  the  ur.y  of  uprightnefs. 
'I'houi^h  the  Tea  be  rough,  and  the  winds  rage, 
>v'j  h;ive  an  unerring  Piiot  at  the  I^ltn,  who 
\viy  a/TiM-ecilv  brinsr  «s  to  the  haven  -where  we 
v/ouU  be,  >if  ».vc  cof^tmue  in  the  fhip.  Look!  O 
look  beyond  the  narrow  ^bounds  of  tim?,  and  take 
a  furvey  of  a  boundlefs  eteinity  :  Itrltch  forward 
to  the  heavenly  plains,  where  happlefs  is  clad 
in  everlafling  green;  ?.nd  where,  amid  rhe^erdant 
landfcape,  /Ireams  of  endleOi  pleafures  roa.  My 
befl:  wifhes  for  all  my  relations,  my  fihal  duty  to 
you,  while 

I  remain  vour  ever  affectionate  Son,  5ec, 


m 


t 


:tionate  ;bon,  ac. 


FINIS. 


^■r 


^ 


X'